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OKLAHOMA CITY— As the Western Conference Finals reach their conclusion and the players from the Thunder and Wolves exchange well-wishes, no embrace will hold greater significance than that shared by the two kin bearing the same hyphenated surname: Alexander.
The intimate words they share before departing the court will elude both microphones and the scrutiny of lip-readers tuning in from home, forming an exclusive dialogue just between them. Quite fittingly.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will eagerly support the team that advances to the NBA Finals. With a solid 3-1 series lead and the advantage of playing at home for Game 5 (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), it seems that Gilgeous-Alexander might have the upper hand in family bragging rights—unless the series takes an unexpected turn.
The cousins share a strong bond, so the reigning Kia MVP will choose his words carefully. He is aware of the hard work Alexander-Walker has put in to reach this milestone as a key player for the Wolves, who is now gaining significant playing time during this pivotal series.
Just two nights ago, in a crucial game that saw a tightly contested fourth quarter, it was Alexander-Walker assigned to guard Gilgeous-Alexander, and vice versa. Even without their familial connection, the competitive spirit between these two guards was exhilarating, intense, and as Gilgeous-Alexander remarked, “super fun.”
Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for Oklahoma City with an impressive 40-point performance. However, Alexander-Walker also emerged as a player during those critical 12 minutes on a grand stage, enhancing his reputation significantly compared to when he entered the game.
He finished with a remarkable 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting (5-for-8 from three-point range) and added six assists, outpacing both Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle in his impact on the game while helping the Wolves remain competitive.
“Just being out there on this stage, going against each other… he had the upper hand at times, and I had it at others,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented. “This is something we’ve dreamed about for as long as we can remember.”
“He’s literally like my second brother…”
These cousins, born a mere 52 days apart…
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are gearing up for their showdown in the Western Conference Finals 👀🔥pic.twitter.com/WtW53z33m7
— NBA (@NBA)May 20, 2025
Their shared upbringing in Hamilton, just outside Toronto, included playing together on the same high school team and briefly living together. Gilgeous-Alexander’s father and Alexander-Walker’s mother are siblings. Both made it to the NBA as first-round draft picks, though Gilgeous-Alexander developed into a star significantly faster. After transferring from the L.A. Clippers to Oklahoma City and being entrusted as the franchise’s centerpiece, his trajectory soared—culminating in an MVP award, a scoring title, All-NBA honors, All-Star appearances, and a max contract.
In contrast, Alexander-Walker is navigating his third team, having primarily filled a backup role throughout his career. He encountered inconsistencies in his shooting early on, but his performance has improved to 44% over his last two full seasons with the Wolves. How he performs in these playoffs will influence his future prospects. As an unrestricted free agent this summer, he is vying for a significant contract, while the Wolves, with the league’s second-highest payroll, are eager to retain him.
If he replicates his Game 4 performance, opportunities will certainly be on the table.
Interestingly, Alexander-Walker’s standing in the upcoming free-agent market—and his future with the Wolves—will partially hinge on how he manages to defend his cousin in Game 5 and subsequent games.
“I’m not really surprised,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “I know the type of player he is. What he showed in Game 4 is what he’s capable of—great skill and feel for the game.”
For the time being, Alexander-Walker is putting aside his familial ties with Gilgeous-Alexander. His focus is on assessing the Wolves’ prospects of overcoming their 3-1 deficit.
“They know how to beat us, and we know how to beat them,” he said. “It’s about executing out there and determining who desires it more. We’ve displayed that at times, but we need consistency.”
To stop Oklahoma City, it starts with containing Gilgeous-Alexander. Alexander-Walker is determined to thwart his cousin’s progression and believes their shared history will aid in this endeavor—no one understands Gilgeous-Alexander better than Alexander-Walker.
“Clearly, it’s challenging because he has the ball in his hands almost constantly,” Alexander-Walker explained. “He knows that even if he misses shots, they will keep coming back to him. He’s aware of his strengths, and the team depends on him. The key is to disrupt his rhythm. He has an extensive arsenal of moves and a wealth of experience against every defensive scheme.”
“My goal is to anticipate his actions and ensure that every shot he takes is a difficult one. I need to defend without committing fouls. That sounds straightforward, but it’s a considerable challenge given his talent. We must find ways to secure stops. The real test will come when we execute well against him.”
Their individual matchup sets a captivating subplot to this series. Alexander-Walker is expected to receive more playing time, not only due to his strong Game 4 performance but also because the Wolves are looking for more guard options.
Mike Conley, their starting guard, is 37 years old. Alexander-Walker offers better size, quicker hands, and a greater willingness to shoot, prompting Gilgeous-Alexander to exert effort on both ends of the floor.
“When we’re on the court facing each other, it intensifies the game,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.
This isn’t their first encounter in the NBA, but it is the first time the stakes are this high, amplified by their familial connection.
“It’s tough because I’m so invested; I can’t just sit back and watch it,” Gilgeous-Alexander admitted.
Not like their relatives back home in Canada, who are likely experiencing an emotional rollercoaster in front of their TVs.
As for Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker, significant conversations must be postponed until the final buzzer, when one of them has the opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals.
“When all is said and done, we’ll have a multitude of stories to share about this,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “Just being here is incredible.”
When asked if he is also looking forward to those conversations, Alexander-Walker responded with a serious expression, “Only if I win, to be completely honest.”
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for more than 25 years. Feel free to send him an email here, browse his archive here, and follow him on X.
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