Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s night for Canada started in a place Hawks fans know all too well: a little messy, a little out of sync, and not at all close to finished.
That didn’t last long. In Canada’s important win over Argentina, Alexander-Walker shook off an uneven opening stretch and helped steady things when the game threatened to tilt away. Atlanta’s lead guard was dealing with the kind of early adversity that can swallow a team whole, but he answered it the way the best organizers do - by taking control and getting everybody back on the same page.
The first quarter was rough. Argentina went on a 13-0 run, and Alexander-Walker found himself in the middle of it, committing three early turnovers while only handing out two assists.
He was making some good reads, but the offense wasn’t really under his command yet. At the same time, he and Lu Dort, the other Atlanta Hawk on Canada’s roster, were connecting on their shots while the defense had no answer for Argentina’s scoring burst.
Once that run hit 13, Alexander-Walker flipped the script. He helped spark an immediate response with a string of buckets, then added a steal and a slam that cut the Argentina lead to five and pulled Canada right back into the fight after a shaky start.
What stood out just as much as the scoring was what came next. Alexander-Walker was vocal on the bench, clearly trying to push his team toward the right adjustments.
The source of the message wasn’t spelled out, but the issues were easy to spot: defense, turnovers, shot selection, and a general lack of cohesion. Whatever was said, Canada looked more settled as the game went on.
For Hawks fans, that’s the part worth remembering. Alexander-Walker isn’t just giving you shot-making. He’s showing he can steer a group through the rough patches, and that kind of presence matters when the game starts to wobble.
In Other News...
Lu Dort Gives Hawks A Defensive Edge They Desperately Needed
The recent FIBA World Cup qualifying window offered a reminder of why Lu Dorts arrival matters for Atlanta, even if the Hawks were watching from afar. Canada went 2-0, including a 97-92 win over Argentina, and Dort and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combined for 51 points in that victory, giving Atlanta a glimpse of the kind of two-way edge Dort can bring as he settles in with his new team.
What makes that fit even more intriguing is the built-in comfort level between Dort and Alexander-Walker, two players who have long been tied together on the international stage. For the Hawks, any shortcut to helping a newcomer get up to speed is valuable, especially when the player in question is expected to raise the defensive intensity right away. With that kind of familiarity in place, Atlanta has reason to believe the transition could be smoother than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Lu Dort Just Gave Hawks Fans Another Reason To Be Excited
Lu Dort is already giving Atlanta fans a glimpse of what the Hawks hope they are adding this season. While playing for Canada in FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Dort has been active on both ends and shown why his reputation stretches well beyond the box score. He is heading into his eighth NBA season and, for the Hawks, it will be his first after arriving from Oklahoma City, where he spent seven seasons and became one of the leagues more trusted perimeter defenders.
The appeal in Atlanta goes beyond the production, though that matters too. Dort helped Oklahoma City win the 2025 NBA championship and now brings a blend of toughness, defense and leadership to a Hawks roster that can use all three. If his early international form is any indication, Atlanta may not have to wait long to see the edge he can add to the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Kumingas Hawks Claim Is Guaranteed To Divide Atlanta Fans
Jonathan Kumingas brief stop in Atlanta still has people talking, even after he moved on to Minnesota on a two-year deal. The Hawks got useful bench production from him in the second half of the season, including a 27-point night and a stretch of strong performances that helped steady the rotation when he was on the floor.
Now his camp is making a bolder argument: that Kuminga was the Hawks best player during his time with the team. It is the kind of claim that is sure to split fans, especially since his run in Atlanta was limited to 16 regular-season games and he was never there long enough to settle the debate in a way everyone would accept. [Read more 🡒]