Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named as the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2025-26 season.

Alexander-Walker had a career year, starting in 71 of the 78 games he played in this season. The 27-year-old guard averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game – all personal career highs. Walker also set the Hawks record for most 3-pointers in a season, draining 251 in the 2025-26 season while shooting 39.9% from 3-point range.

Alexander-Walker was traded to Atlanta on July 6, 2025 after spending two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Alexander-Walker received 66 first-place votes and 396 total points on the balloting. The Detroit Pistons‘ Jalen Duren finished second with 23 first-place votes and 254 points.

The Hawks have become the first team to have back-to-back Most Improved Award winners. Guard Dyson Daniels won the award as a member of the Hawks last season.

Alexander-Walker and the Hawks are currently playing in the postseason, leading the New York Knicks 2-1 in an Eastern Conference first-round series.

Previous Most Improved Player winners

• 2026: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
• 2025: Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
• 2024: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
• 2023: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
• 2022: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• 2021: Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• 2020: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
• 2019: Pascal Siakim, Toronto Raptors
• 2018: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
• 2017: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• 2016: CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
• 2015: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
• 2014: Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns
• 2013: Paul George, Indiana Pacers
• 2012: Ryan Anderson, Orlando Magic
• 2011: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
• 2010: Aaron Brooks, Houston Rockets
• 2009: Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
• 2008: Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
• 2007: Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
• 2006: Boris Diaw, Phoenix Suns

2025-26 NBA Awards winners

• Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
• Clutch Player of the Year: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Sixth Man of the Year: Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
• NBA Sportsmanship Award: Derrick White, Boston Celtics

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker voted NBA Most Improved Player

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You had my interest, but now you have my attention, Portland Trail Blazers.

While no one is glad Victor Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs suddenly have a series on their hands.

Tonight’s Spurs vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks should hold up regardless of whether Wembanyama takes the court on Friday, April 24.

Spurs vs Trail Blazers prediction

Who will win Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3?

Trail Blazers: Opportunities are the only things given in life, and this may be Portland’s opportunity. Any uncertainty around Victor Wembanyama throws this series into disarray — a chance the Trail Blazers must capitalize on. At home, with that possible spark, it provides more Portland intrigue than was ever expected this postseason.

Spurs vs Trail Blazers best bet: De’Aaron Fox Over 19.5 points (-110)

Victor Wembanyama has traveled with the San Antonio Spurs to the Pacific Northwest. That is the first step toward him playing this weekend, though one has to remain skeptical that he will play Game 3.

The Spurs are plenty competitive without Wembanyama. Playing the Portland Trail Blazers without him will not assure a loss in any regard, and concussions are not something to rush back from.

Wembanyama’s availability won’t be entirely up to San Antonio; once in concussion protocols, a league doctor also has to sign off on his ability to play. He very well might play, but the savvy bettor finds a bet that could cash with Wembanyama playing and has even better odds with him sidelined.

A bet like trusting De’Aaron Fox to pour in some points.

In 54 games alongside Wembanyama this regular season, Fox averaged 16.5 points. In 18 contests with Wembanyama sidelined, Fox averaged 24.6 points.

Fox attempted 4.2 more shots per game without Wembanyama on the court, including two additional 3-pointers.

Do not fret that this is the result of a few high-scoring matches. Fox scored 20 or more points in 15 of those 18 games without Wembanyama.

Even with his star Frenchman center on the court, Fox could very well clear this modest points prop, and the number becomes even more favorable if Wembanyama misses Game 3.

Spurs vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Similar to the logic of Fox averaging 8.1 more points in games without Wembanyama, Stephon Castle averaged 6.8 rebounds per contest in eight games without the Spurs’ centerpiece, compared to just 5.1 across 60 with him.

This prop could cash if Wemby plays, but looks far more likely if he doesn’t.

And unsurprisingly, San Antonio’s defensive rating spikes without Wembanyma on the court, 6.6 points worse per 100 possessions in 18 games without him.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Spurs’ offensive rating does not waver.

Spurs vs Trail Blazers SGP

• De’Aaron Fox Over 19.5 points
• Stephon Castle Over 5.5 rebounds
• Over 220.5

Our “from downtown” SGP: Rose City

If Wembanyama is sidelined or even just limited, this is Portland’s chance to see a path to the second round.

You cannot let this opportunity pass you by. Desperation needs to be the Blazers’ default.

A spread of +1.5 is effectively a tilted pick’em, and it is undervaluing what Wembanyama means.

San Antonio was favored by 10.5 in Game 2. Adjusting for homecourt, a quick line of +4.5 would make sense on Friday night.

Is Wembanyama really worth only three points? Until Portland is favored, lean into this, via spread or moneyline.

Spurs vs Trail Blazers SGP

• De’Aaron Fox Over 19.5 points
• Over 220.5
• Trail Blazers moneyline

Spurs vs Trail Blazers odds for Game 3

• Spread: Spurs -1.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Spurs -130 | Trail Blazers +110
• Over/Under: Over 220.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110)

Spurs vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

Portland went 25-16 against the spread at home this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Spurs vs Trail Blazers Game 3

Spurs vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

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The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the NBA’s most frustrating teams during the regular season — stacked with plenty of talent but not quite able to live up to their potential.

The last two games have provided a glimpse of how good they can be.

The Timberwolves have a 2-1 series lead over the Denver Nuggets in the first-round series. Game 4 will be played in Minnesota on Saturday. Also on Saturday’s schedule: Detroit at Orlando (series tied 1-1), Oklahoma City at Phoenix (Thunder lead 2-0) and New York at Atlanta (Hawks lead 2-1).

The Nuggets and three-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic secured a fairly comfortable win in Game 1, but the Timberwolves have responded with two victories, including a stellar defensive effort in a 113-96 Game 3 win.

“We’ve definitely played on a higher level, more of an even keel, too,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “We’ve made mistakes as well, but we’ve been able to survive them and regroup quicker than in Game 1. I think adherence to the game plan has been a lot better. Game 1, it was not. We treated Game 1 like Game 83, and that really wasn’t the mindset to come into. We’ve done a good job of flipping that mindset to more of a playoff mindset.”

The Nuggets will have to rediscover their offensive touch to even the series. They scored just 11 points in the first quarter of Game 3 and shot just 34% from the field for the game.

Denver guard Christian Braun is confident the Nuggets will bounce back.

“This is a mature team,” Braun said. “This is a team that’s been there. This is a team that’s won a championship. This is not a team that this is their first time being there with guys that have never won. We have a lot of dudes who have won championships, Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon.

He added: “There is no panic inside our locker room. I know there is panic outside our locker room. I kind of understand that. We didn’t do our job in Game 3 so going forward we’ve got to play better. We understand that. We’ll rise to the occasion.”

The Nuggets are not sure if they will get forward Aaron Gordon back for Game 4. The versatile 12th-year veteran was held out on Thursday with tightness in his left calf muscle. Gordon walked through some drills on the court during practice on Friday, but coach David Adelman said he had no further update on his availability for Saturday.

Another key wing player for the Nuggets, Peyton Watson, has missed all three games with a strained right hamstring.

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic

When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 1 p.m. EDT (Peacock/NBCSN)

Series: Tied, 1-1.

Betting line: Pistons by 2.5.

What to Know: The top-seeded Pistons bounced back with a 98-83 in Game 2 after getting stunned by the Magic in a series-opening loss. Now the series moves to Orlando. The Magic will try to bounce back on offense after getting held to just 33% shooting in Game 2, including a 25% mark from 3-point range. Both teams are hungry for postseason success. Detroit hasn’t advanced beyond the first playoff round in 18 years and Orlando hasn’t reached the second round in 16 years.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns

When/Where to Watch: Game 3, 3:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)

Series: Thunder lead, 2-0.

Betting line: Thunder by 9.5.

What to Know: The series shifts to Arizona after the Thunder dominated the first two games of the series in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have played well through two games, though they lost guard Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury and he’s considered week-to-week. The Suns were upset by what they viewed as biased officiating in Game 2 and All-Star guard Devin Booker was fined $35,000 for his critical remarks.

New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 6 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)

Series: Hawks lead, 2-1

Betting line: Knicks by 1.5.

What to Know: All the pressure is on the Knicks after two straight one-point losses have put their season in jeopardy. CJ McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds left in Game 3 that proved to be the game-winner. McCollum has been fantastic in the series, averaging 27 points on 51% shooting. The Knicks could use more offensive production from Mikal Bridges, who is averaging just 7.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in nearly 30 minutes over the three games.

Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 8:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)

Series: Timberwolves lead, 2-1

Betting line: Nuggets by 1.5.

What to Know: Jokic has missed 25 of 33 shots over the last five quarters. He’s just 5 for 24 from 3-point range in the series. Adelman isn’t concerned: “He had a tough night. It happens to players. This guy’s played a million playoff games. There’s nights that are poor. He’ll bounce back.” Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is averaging 23 points and eight rebounds in the series.

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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this story.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The Toronto Blue Jays stuck with Jeff Hoffman as their closer after his blown save in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. But that patience has apparently reached its limit.

Blue Jays manager Ross Atkins told reporters Friday the team is demoting Hoffman from the closer role and will instead employ a closer-by-committee approach for the time being, according to MLB.com’s Jason Foster.

Atkins reportedly insisted Hoffman will still be part of the late-inning mix:

“In the short term, we are going to share that [closing] responsibility,” Atkins said. “He’s still going to be getting very important outs for us, and I very much believe in him as a weapon for us.”

The decision comes after a miserable start to the season for Hoffman, who holds a 7.59 ERA through 12 appearances and has converted only three of six save opportunities. He is one of four relievers tied for the MLB lead in blown saves, with three.

There’s also the lingering specter of his blown save in November, when he surrendered a game-tying home run to Los Angeles Dodgers veteran Miguel Rojas in the most painful loss in Blue Jays history. Even so, the franchise had stood by him as its closer until Friday.

Hoffman is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract with the Blue Jays, which he signed after a strong run with the Philadelphia Phillies. He posted a 4.37 ERA in 59 appearances last year.

Is Jeff Hoffman just unlucky?

We’ll say this: It hasn’t been all bad for Hoffman.

He’s striking out batters at an elite rate of 42.1%, which is the second-best mark in baseball among pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched. Less good (but still not awful) is his 10.5% walk rate. What’s actually going wrong for him is that batters are simply getting way more hits and homers than usual when they put the ball in play.

Among that same group of pitchers with at least 10 innings, Hoffman leads in both batting average on balls in play at .609 and home runs per fly ball rate at 33.3%. That’s despite his Baseball Savant batted ball data not showing much carnage. His 32% hard-hit rate is actually better than average, as is his 48% groundball rate.

So we could be talking about a supremely unlucky pitcher, but at some point, the actual results have to be addressed. This is why Toronto is making a change but still leaving the door open for Hoffman to pitch in the late innings.

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The Houston Rockets face an uphill battle tonight as they host the Los Angeles Lakers, who are confident and holding a 2-0 series lead. 

To make matters worse, the Rockets will be without Kevin Durant once again, and that has seen the Rockets’ spread shorten. 

My Lakers vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks believe Rui Hachimura can be a difference maker for the Lakers on Friday, April 24. 

Lakers vs Rockets prediction

Who will win Lakers vs Rockets Game 3?

Rockets: Houston has enjoyed extra time to rest and reset, ironing out the offensive kinks in time for a win in Game 3.

The Rockets are still laying -6.5 on Friday, and while that may be a tad too much, Houston will get right.

Lakers vs Rockets best bet: Rui Hachimura Over 13.5 points (-110)

Rui Hachimura has quietly carved out a consistent scoring role for the Los Angeles Lakers, and the matchup sets up well for that to continue.

The Houston Rockets have shown a tendency to collapse into the paint, leaving corner shooters exposed — exactly where Hachimura thrives.

He’s already posted 13 and 14 points in the first two games while shooting 11-for-20 from the field, and most of that production is coming on clean, repeatable looks.

With steady minutes and a slight bump in available shots, this number is still a step behind his current role.

Lakers vs Rockets same-game parlay

The Rockets may win this one, but the spread seems out of whack considering how well the Lakers are playing right now. I expect some offensive adjustments from Houston, but I don’t think they’re going to pull away. 

The Lakers have gotten some great performances from their role players, and Rui Hachimura has been quietly consistent through two games. He’s shooting a collective 11-for-20 from the field (5-for-10 on 3-pointers), doesn’t shrink on the road, and is projected for as many as 15 points in Game 3.

Lakers vs Rockets SGP

• Lakers +6.5
• Rui Hachimura Over 13.5 points

Our “from downtown” SGP: Opportunity knocks for LBJ

Without Durant in the lineup, LeBron James should thrive as a scorer and take his opportunity to push the Rockets to the brink. 

The Lakers keep it closer than oddsmakers expect, while the Rockets’ offense will finally find its way and top this ultra-low total.

Lakers vs Rockets SGP

• Lakers +6.5
• Over 206.5
• Rui Hachimura Over 13.5 points
• LeBron James Over 23.5 points

Lakers vs Rockets odds for Game 3

• Spread: Los Angeles +9.5 (-110) | Houston -9.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Los Angeles +320 | Houston -400
• Over/Under: Over 205.5 (-110) | Under 205.5 (-110)

Lakers vs Rockets betting trend to know

NBA playoff totals of 206 points or lower have produced a 21-14 Over/Under record the past three postseasons (60% Overs). Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Rockets.

How to watch Lakers vs Rockets Game 3

Lakers vs Rockets latest injuries

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HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Durant won’t play in Game 3 of Houston’s first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night because of a sprained left ankle.

Durant also missed the opener of the series because of a bruised right knee. He returned for Game 2 and scored 23 points in 41 minutes of the 101-94 loss that gave the Lakers a 2-0 lead in the series.

Austin Reaves also was ruled out shortly before the game after the Lakers had listed him as questionable to return from an oblique injury that has kept him out since April 2.

Coach Ime Udoka said Durant was injured with about seven minutes left in Game 2 when he was chasing down Luke Kennard, but he did not leave the game.

“We’ve seen the play and found out when it happened. Just played the remainder of the game and obviously adrenaline and was still loose,” Udoka said. “But afterwards swelled up, some tenderness and got worse over the next day or so.”

Durant’s injury problems this postseason came after the 37-year-old ranked second in the league in the regular season by playing 2,840 minutes.

Durant, who is in his first season in Houston after a blockbuster offseason trade from Phoenix, is the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the NBA’s 2026 Most Improved Player, taking home the honor in his first year with the Atlanta Hawks. Alexander-Walker beat the Detroit Pistons’ Jalen Duren and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija for the honor.

After spending time on three other NBA teams, Alexander-Walker found his groove with the Hawks as a starting shooting guard, putting up a career season. He averaged 20.8 points per game — more than double his scoring from last season — along with 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Alexander-Walker, a first-rounder in the 2019 draft, started his career with the New Orleans Pelicans before appearing with the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The guard played in all 82 games the past two years with Minnesota, putting up 8.0 and 9.4 points per game off the bench in 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively.

In the offseason, Alexander-Walker inked a four-year, $62 million deal with the Hawks as part of a sign-and-trade. Since then, he has thrived with the Hawks, scoring the most total regular-season points on the team this year and averaging the second-most points per game.

In March, Alexander-Walker scored a career-high 41 points to help Atlanta to a double-digit winning streak. He finished the season with eight outings of 30 or more points after hitting that mark five total times in his previous six seasons.

This marks Alexander-Walker’s first NBA honor in his seven-year career.