Hawks’ Lu Dort shares honest reaction to joining Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Atlanta Hawks must be beaming in pride and joy after seeing two of their players perform very well for Canada during this recently-concluded FIBA World Cup qualifying window. Canada took two victories, with their latest win coming against Argentina on Sunday, 97-92. In fact, two Hawks players in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and new acquisition Lu Dort combined for 51 points to score over half of the team’s points in the win that moved them to 8-0 in the qualifiers.

Alexander-Walker and Dort were already familiar with one another, having played for Team Canada in past international competitions as well as having suited up alongside one another early in their playing days. This should at least help Dort adjust to playing with the Hawks after spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially when he and Alexander-Walker are close off the court as well.

“It’s amazing. Obviously, Nickeil is one of my closest friends. Played on the same team with Nickeil in high school and against him our whole life, obviously. When I got the call and I knew I was heading there, I hit him right away. I was really happy. He’s helped me out throughout this whole transition and with their style of play. I’m glad that I got a guy like him on my team now,” Dort said, via Clemente Almanza of Thunder Wire.

Dort is also close with Alexander-Walker’s cousin and the reigning NBA MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and integrating the 2025 NBA champion into the mix should be very easy for a Hawks team that will also pride itself on defense.

It’s not always easy to start anew after getting accustomed to living and playing a certain way. But of all the teams that the Thunder could have traded Dort, a beloved member of their championship core, sending him to the Hawks feels like OKC’s final act of love for Dort after everything he’s done for that franchise over the years.