Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been on an absolute tear this season. When Trae Young went down with a right MCL sprain, he replaced him in the starting lineup and never looked back. His offensive production has been ridiculous.
Through 23 games (20 starts), Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three. His points average is nearly ten above his previous career-high.
Calling NAW's season a breakout would truly be undermining the impact his leap has had. Atlanta's offense has stayed afloat in the absence of Trae Young. While Jalen Johnson has taken the next step towards stardom, it is Alexander-Walker who has displayed the most remarkable jump.
These numbers, however, may not be sustainable. Not that he doesn't have the ability to maintain a dominant scoring season like this one, but his nightly minutes are soon going to see a decrease. Naturally, his averages will go down, but his impact will remain high.
Trae Young is set to return from injury soon. There is no official date set in stone, but his re-evaluation is going to take place this weekend. As soon as Young is cleared to play, he will instantly take back his role as Atlanta's starting point guard.
NAW will have to continue his two-way dominance in the second unit.
One could make the argument that he should remain in the starting lineup over Dyson Daniels. While it's true that NAW is more of a two than a one, Daniels will not lose his job as Young's backcourt mate. Despite his early-season offensive struggles, the Great Barrier Thief has too much of an impact on the defensive end to not be among Atlanta's first five.
Alexander-Walker could start at the three over Zaccharie Risacher, but that would hurt Atlanta's size and their young forward's confidence. Risacher is another player who was meant to start alongside Young in the long term, and Head Coach Quin Snyder will not give up on that 25 games into his second NBA season.
The plan at the beginning of the season was always to bring NAW off the bench, and that is not a bad thing. In the Trae Young era, the Hawks have found immense success when having someone reliable to handle the offensive load in the second unit. Even though his numbers will go down over time, he will continue to play a vital role in Atlanta's team success.
With Alexander-Walker heading back to the bench, Atlanta will have one of the more terrifying second units in the league. Regardless of who they decide to start between Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta will have two legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidates backing up an excellent group of starters.