The score was tied 35-all with 3.4 seconds left in the first quarter of Monday’s game when Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker caught the inbound pass from Asa Newell and swished a 45-footer over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso as time expired.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Led Hawks In Scoring
Alexander-Walker, 27, led the Hawks with 30 points on 11-of-24 (45.8%) shooting from the field, 6-for-14 (42.9%) from 3-point territory, and making two of three free throws.
Dyson Daniels also had a buzzer-beater of his own, an 8-footer that gave the Hawks a 74-70 lead at halftime. Atlanta managed to stay ahead for a little while, despite the team’s recent struggles.
One-legged buzzer beater from halfcourt??
With the left???
Nickeil Alexander-Walker just did that 🤯 pic.twitter.com/csB8vn5jRY
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2025
Through 32 appearances (25 starts) this campaign, Alexander-Walker is averaging career highs of 20.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 32.8 minutes per game while shooting 45.1% from the floor and 37.9% from deep.
He currently ranks 11th in made 3-pointers (94) and 16th in made 3s per game (2.9).
During the offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Alexander-Walker to the Hawks for cash and a 2027 second-round draft pick. The 2027 second-rounder is owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thunder Gave Atlanta Its Seventh Straight Loss
In Atlanta’s 135-126 loss at San Antonio on Nov. 20, he put up a career-high 38 points on 13-of-17 (76.5%) shooting from the field and 8-for-10 (80%) from beyond the arc.
Atlanta, however, had no answer for OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 39 points for the Thunder in the Hawks’ 140-129 loss on Monday night. Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 20 points for the 104th consecutive game.
Chet Holmgren also had 24 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, while Jalen Williams added 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the NBA-leading Thunder (28-5).
Atlanta was able to claw its way back into the game to trail 106-103 on a 3-point play by Luke Kennard, but the Thunder scored the next seven points to take a 113-103 lead into the fourth.
The short-handed Hawks (15-19), who have lost seven straight, entered Monday’s game without starters Trae Young (quad), Jalen Johnson (illness), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
Since defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in double overtime on Nov. 30, the Hawks have gone just 2-11, including a 142-115 blowout loss at Detroit on Dec. 12.
The Hawks host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
