NICKEIL ALEXANDER-WALKER NEWS

Can Nickeil Alexander-Walker be the Timberwolves stopper on Devin Booker? Don't be surprised if the young man they call NAW sinks his teeth into this series against Devin Booker and Phoenix.

APRIL 19 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Stands out with 23-point effort Alexander-Walker notched 23 points (9-19 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 130-121 win over the Wizards.

Impact Alexander-Walker is ending the campaign on a solid note and scored in double digits for the fourth consecutive game, marking his longest streak of the season reaching that feat. Even though his upside is limited due to his bench role, Alexander-Walker should continue to see decent minutes and might be able to extend that double-digit scoring run when Minnesota takes on Denver on Wednesday.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will come off bench Alexander-Walker will return to a reserve role Friday in Phoenix.

Impact After starting in place of Mike Conley (rest), Alexander-Walker will be back to his usual role off the bench. He has averaged 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 21.3 minutes in 56 games as a reserve this year.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Loigs 14 points in spot start Alexander-Walker produced 14 points (5-7 FG, 4-6 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 133-85 victory over Toronto.

Impact The team gave Mike Conley (rest) the night off, giving Alexander-Walker the initial crack with the first unit. Eventually, the Timberwolves emptied their bench in the blowout and gave Monte Morris and Jordan McLaughlin time in the backcourt as well. Alexander-Walker drained four three-pointers in 23 minutes on the floor, logging his best total since exploding for 28 points against the Clippers three weeks ago.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Starting PG Wednesday Alexander-Walker will start Wednesday's game against the Raptors,

Impact Alexander-Walker will step into Mike Conley's (rest) vacated starting spot, marking his 20th start of the campaign. In his previous 19, Alexander-Walker averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Alexander-Walker will return to a reserve role for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland reports.

Impact With Naz Ried (head) and Rudy Gobert (ribs) returning to the starting lineup, Alexander-Walker will return to his usual reserve role. The 25-year-old has averaged 7.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 21.5 minutes in 50 games off the bench.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Enters starting lineup Alexander-Walker will start Tuesday's game against Denver.

Impact With Rudy Gobert (ribs) and Naz Reid (head) sidelined, Minnesota will use a smaller lineup with Kyle Anderson starting at the five. Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels round out the starting five. Alexander-Walker has been on fire, averaging 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.3 three-pointers over his last four games.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well in 34 minutes Alexander-Walker provided 13 points (4-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 114-104 victory over the Ja...

Impact This was a solid overall performance from Alexander-Walker as he continues to step up for the shorthanded Timberwolves. Alexander-Walker has produced third-round fantasy value in nine-category leagues over his last four outings, averaging 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.3 three-pointers.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 28 points Alexander-Walker finished Tuesday's 118-100 victory over the Clippers with 28 points (9-10 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block in 28 minutes.

Impact Alexander-Walker was moved to the bench for Tuesday's game with Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert back in the lineup, but he still maintained a significant role. It obviously helped his case that he had the hot hand. March has been his best month of the season by far, as he's currently averaging 12.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 three-pointers.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins second unit Alexander-Walker will come off the bench for Tuesday's game versus the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Impact Rudy Gobert (hamstring) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder) are back for Minnesota, while Anthony Edwards will continue to fight through ankle and shoulder pain. In a spot start against the Lakers on Sunday, Alexander-Walker finished with 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists and two steals over 39 minutes.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Posts 15 points in spot start Alexander-Walker supplied 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists and two steals over 39 minutes during Sunday's 120-109 loss to the Lakers.

Impact Alexander-Walker usually occupies a spot with the second unit, but multiple absences sent him on the floor with the starting five. The loss of Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) has caused a ripple effect within the depth chart, resulting in players like Alexander-Walker, T.J. Warren and Luka Garza seeing more time on the court. The team will get some much-needed support when Rudy Gobert (hamstring) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder) return, which will cap Alexander-Walker's potential.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Gets spot start Alexander-Walker will start at forward in Sunday's game against the Lakers, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact Alexander-Walker will replace Kyle Anderson (shoulder) in the starting lineup. The 25-year-old has averaged 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists across 28.9 minutes in 17 games this season.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Draws last-minute start Alexander-Walker is starting Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports.

Impact Krawczynski notes that Edwards was late getting onto the court for tipoff, so Alexander-Walker was inserted into the starting lineup at shooting guard. Edwards is set to enter play at the first whistle, so Alexander-Walker is in line to shoulder his normal workload Monday night.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 13 points off bench Friday Alexander-Walker recorded 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one block over 15 minutes during Friday's 112-107 loss to the Bucks.

Impact Alexander-Walker has struggled with consistency on a game-to-game basis, and although that's not surprising given he's made a name for himself as a streaky scorer, he seems to be trending in the right direction. Firmly entrenched as a scoring alternative in Minnesota's second unit, Alexander-Walker has scored in double digits in three of his last four games, and he might be worth a look in deeper formats if he can sustain this over a long stretch. That said, his upside is also capped since Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards are firmly entrenched as the starting backcourt for Minnesota.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Post 18 points from bench Alexander-Walker chipped in 18 points (6-7 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one block in 26 minutes during Tuesday's 121-109 win over Portland.

Impact Alexander-Walker platooned with Mike Conley and finished with a much better number than his teammate thanks to a red-hot performance beyond the arc. It was one of the Virginia Tech product's best games of the season, and his contributions could increase if Conley continues to struggle.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Nickeil Alexander-Walker's barrage of late three-pointers needed in win over Trail Blazers While his Timberwolves teammates struggled, Nickeil Alexander-Walker came off the bench to hit four three-point shots in the fourth quarter...

FEBRUARY 14 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Shifts back to bench Alexander-Walker will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.

Impact Alexander-Walker started in four of his previous five appearances with Mike Conley sidelined, but he'll rejoin the reserves with Conley back in action. In 31 games with the second unit, Alexander-Walker is averaging 5.6 points, 2.3 assists and 1.4 rebounds.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Solid numbers in Saturday's start Alexander-Walker provided 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Saturday's 113-112 loss to the Spurs.

Impact With Mike Conley (hamstring) sidelined again, Alexander-Walker got his third start in the last four games and recorded his most assists since Nov. 30 against the Jazz. The fifth-year guard is averaging 11.7 points, 4.7 assists, 3.0 boards, 2.7 threes and 1.0 steals over 31.3 minutes in those three starts, giving Alexander-Walker some DFS appeal if Conley continues to miss time.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Back in starting lineup Alexander-Walker will start Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Alexander-Walker will return to the starting lineup with Mike Conley (hamstring) sidelined. In his last five starts, Alexander-Walker has averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per game.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

How reading transformed the career of Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker 25-year-old Nickeil Alexander-Walker was "terrified" when the Wolves traded for him last season. But with help from the world of literature,...

JANUARY 26 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Retreats to bench Alexander-Walker isn't starting Thursday's game against the Nets.

Impact Alexander-Walker stepped into the starting five Monday against the Hornets with Mike Conley being held out, but Conley has been given the green light Thursday. Alexander-Walker will operate in his usual role off the bench and is averaging 5.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in his last five contests as a reserve.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Lands season-high 18 points Alexander-Walker contributed 18 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Monday's 128-125 loss to the Hornets.

Impact Alexander-Walker shifted into the starting lineup Monday, replacing Mike Conley who was ruled out due to a hamstring issue. He made the most of the promotion, scoring a season-high 18 points, rewarding anyone who managed to stream him in following the Conley news. If Conley is forced to miss additional time, Alexander-Walker could be someone to hold onto a little longer, keeping in mind that he struggled for relevance earlier in the season, even when he was starting.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Starting vs. Hornets Alexander-Walker is starting Monday's game against Charlotte.

Impact Alexander-Walker is in line for a spot start due to the absence of Mike Conley (hamstring). Alexander-Walker fared well in his last opportunity to start Jan. 10 against the Celtics, putting up 15 points along with four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 40 minutes.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to bench Alexander-Walker will come off the bench in Friday's game versus Portland.

Impact The Timberwolves are getting Mike Conley (rest) and Rudy Gobert (hip) back in action Friday, bumping Alexander-Walker and Kyle Anderson to the second unit. Alexander-Walker made the most of his fill-in start against Boston on Wednesday, scoring 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) with four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 40 minutes.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Provides offensive spark in start Alexander-Walker had 15 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Wednesday's 127-120 overtime loss to the Celt...

Impact Alexander-Walker got the start in place of Mike Conley (rest), putting together one of his best outings of the season while finishing as one of five Timberwolves with 15 or more points in an overtime defeat. Alexander-Walker posted his second-highest scoring total of the year, notching 15 or more points in two contests.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE