Alexander-Walker averaged 18.8 points last season, made 38.2% of his threes and posted a 16.0 net rating. Tonight against a winless Miami, the Hawks need that shot at full volume, because Jalen Johnson shot 15.8% from deep and Dyson Daniels 20.0%.
Volume Without the Waste
Alexander-Walker took 8.5 threes a game last season and made 38.2% of them. That adds up to 58.7% true shooting on 23.4% usage, which is real efficiency on a real workload. His weak spot is the foul line, where 66.7% gives back points that a 44.6% shooter from the field has already earned. He had 1.8 steals against 2.0 turnovers, so he wins back most of the possessions he gives away.
The Shot Atlanta Needs
The Houston losses showed why this matters. Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks counted Atlanta at 8-33 from three in the second game and 21-82 over seven quarters against the Rockets. He also noted that an Alexander-Walker three with 9:39 left was the team's first make of that half, after an 0-10 start. Johnson shot 15.8% from deep and Daniels 20.0%. When the main creators are cold, the 28-year-old has to keep shooting, not defer.
Lineup, Contract, Verdict
His best minutes come with McCollum, Johnson, Daniels and Okongwu: 53 minutes over four games at a net +19.1. His own 100.4 defensive rating shows he holds up his end in that group. He is healthy and off the injury report. He makes $14.4M this season and $15.2M next, then holds a $15.9M player option for 2028-29. That is a bargain next to the $25.0M Daniels earns. The verdict: he has to be Atlanta's main floor-spacer, taking eight-plus threes a night no matter what happened on the last one, and adding the steals that power the defense.
How much is Alexander-Walker paid by the Hawks?
He makes $14.4M in 2026-27 and $15.2M in 2027-28. The 2028-29 season, at $15.9M, is a player option.
Is Alexander-Walker playing tonight against the Heat?
He is not on the injury report, so he is expected to play. Locked On Hawks lists Aaron Wiggins as questionable with a left knee contusion.
