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Thunder-Wolves: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Cousin Stop the MVP? How Nickeil Alexander-Walker Defends SGA

The 2025 NBA Western Conference finals feature the Oklahoma City Thunder led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Gilgeous-Alexander's cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends him.
This matchup arose from both cousins' career progressions, with Alexander-Walker earning his role through strong defense and their shared history across Canadian and U.S. Basketball development.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the presumptive NBA MVP, dominates scoring but faces challenges defending role players, while Alexander-Walker's perimeter defense and zone assignments make their confrontations pivotal.
Gilgeous-Alexander has put up 68 points on 27 made shots out of 51 attempts while being guarded by Alexander-Walker for just over 28 minutes this season, averaging 23.9 points throughout the playoffs, underscoring the intense matchups between the cousins on the court.
The cousin rivalry shapes the series' outcome as Minnesota relies on Alexander-Walker's defense to contain Gilgeous-Alexander, with the winner likely influencing who advances to the NBA Finals.

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CBC News

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Toronto-born cousins facing off at NBA conference finals

Toronto-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals.

10 days ago·Canada

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Distractify

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How Are SGA and Nickeil Alexander-Walker Related? They Have Closer Ties Than You Think

Shai Gilgeous Alexander (SGA) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are related somehow, but how? Here's what we know about their familial ties.

10 days ago

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Pioneer Press

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Center

‘My second brother’: Bond between Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander runs deep

Nickeil Alexander-Walker shut down his cousin, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, in a play-in victory in 2023 that sent the Thunder home and clinched the Timberwolves’ second consecutive playoff berth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Nickeil Alexander-Walker #1 of Canada line up on the court for the playing of national anthems before an exhibition game against the United States ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Veg…

11 days ago·Saint Paul, United States

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CBS Sports

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Thunder-Wolves: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's cousin stop the MVP? How Nickeil Alexander-Walker defends SGA

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is like a 'second brother'

11 days ago·United States

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Oklahoman

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OKC Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Who has the edge in Western Conference finals?

The OKC Thunder will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals of the NBA Playoffs. Here's a breakdown of the matchup.

12 days ago·Oklahoma City, United States

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Sportskeeda

Center

Anthony Edwards vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Head-to-head matchup explored ahead of WCF

The Anthony Edwards vs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matchup will draw plenty of attention as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

12 days ago

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