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Men's Basketball

Alexander-Walker finishes NBA Restart in style

GAME EIGHT (ORLANDO MAGIC): AUG. 13, 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. – In the NBA Restart's regular-season finale for the New Orleans Pelicans, former Hokie Nickeil Alexander-Walker shined with a career-high 29 points, seven assists and steal in a 133-127 setback versus the Orlando Magic on Thursday night.
Alexander-Walker, making his first career start in the NBA, shot 11 of 18 from the floor, hit two 3-pointers and was perfect from the charity stripe, going 5 for 5.
Quoting NAW
"I looked at it as an opportunity for me to develop as a rookie and to (transition) into next season, try to bring positive energy into the offseason for my game" Alexander-Walker said to the Associated Press. "I'm feeling confident, I know what to work on and the high points."
His lone swipe of the night converted to points, with his teammate Zylan Cheatham throwing it down for the play of the game.


Alexander-Walker later reflected on his first season in the Association and how he enjoys being on the squad in New Orleans.
 


GAME TWO (LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS): AUG 1, 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. – During the opening weekend of the NBA return to play, New Orleans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Pelicans in scoring with 15 points on Saturday against the Los Angeles Clippers inside the Orlando Sports Complex. 

 

Despite the loss, Alexander-Walker continued his outstanding play as he connected 6 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from behind the arc in just 12 minutes of action. The former Tech guard also dished out two assists and registered two steals in the 126-103 loss to the Clippers. 

 


Although Alexander-Walker did not see play in the first game back to the NBA against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night, the rookie shined in the Orlando scrimmages as he tallied 14 points against the Brooklyn Nets, 21 points versus the Denver Nuggets and eight points against the Milwaukee Bucks resulting in three victories for the Pelicans. 
 

New Orleans next contest will be against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN inside the Orlando Sports Complex. Nickeil and the Pelicans have six games remaining in the regular season and are currently in the chase for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

SCRIMMAGE TWO (DENVER NUGGETS): July 25, 2020

ORLANDO, Fla. – Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker led New Orleans to a 119-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night inside the Orlando Sports Complex. 

 

The Pelicans have now improved to 2-0 out of the three NBA scrimmages before the season resumes. Alexander-Walker had an all-around performance against Denver with 21 points, five assists, four rebounds and on the defensive side, Alexander-Walker registered two steals and two blocks in the win. The NBA rookie has now led the way in points for New Orleans in back-to-back outings.
 

Quotes to Note 

New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker 

(On where he feels he is at right now from a performance perspective)

"I feel I'm where I need to be, as far as, just taking it day by day focusing on what I can. Trying to stay in the moment and enjoy the moment. Tonight was a good night and I was just having fun out there. Just letting the plays come to me."

 

SCRIMMAGE ONE (BROOKLYN NETS): July 22, 2020
New Orleans Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 14 points on the first night of basketball in over four months in a scrimmage against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

Each team in the NBA bubble will play three scrimmages to act as a preseason before the restart of NBA action on July 30.

The Pelicans eased to a 99-68 blowout victory over Brooklyn inside the Orlando Sports Complex. Alexander-Walker tied for a game-high 14 points along with four assists and four rebounds to help propel the Pelicans to the 31-point win.

Before the NBA season was suspended, the former Hokie guard averaged 5.1 points, two rebounds and almost two assists in 12 minutes of action a game. The Pelicans were rolling back in March, winning eight of their last 13 outings before the season was suspended.