Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder will square off against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. While most eyes will be on the showdown between these two stars, there’s another matchup that’s just as important to watch.
Thunder star Gilgeous-Alexander is a cousin of Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. This will be the first time they face off in the NBA Playoffs, with both teams aiming for a spot in the NBA Finals, and their families are already picking sides.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s Mom Wages War on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Dad
Gilgeous-Alexander’s father, Vaughn, and Alexander-Walker’s mother, Nicole, are siblings. So it’s no surprise that their competitive fire and spirit—common among siblings—have been passed down to their sons. That same energy was on full display in their recent text messages.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker reveals what his mom texted to his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dad once the Wolves-Thunder Western Conference finals was set: “Oh, it’s war now” pic.twitter.com/Jzlysji3sd
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten)
Alexander-Walker revealed his mom’s text that waged war on SGA’s dad after the WCF was set. The text simply stated, “Oh it’s war now.”
Well, the Thunder star isn’t backing down either. After the grueling seven-game series win against the Denver Nuggets, the MVP finalist said in his postgame presser, “It’ll be very fun. It’s hard to even explain. If you know how close we are, he’s like my second brother. We’ve been through every stage of life together… It’s very special.”
They’re blood, but seems like they’re also out for blood as well. Gilgeous-Alexander then added some bulletin-board material for his cousin, saying with a slight smirk on his face, “I’m gonna try to take his head off for sure.”
“He’s literally like my 2nd brother…”
Cousins who were born just 52 days apart…
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are ready to square off in the Western Conference Finals 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/WtW53z33m7
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2025
The two NBA players had very different paths to the league before meeting one another in the playoffs.
The three-time NBA All-Star, who is older by just 52 days, has quickly risen to elite status. After being drafted 11th overall in 2018, he established himself as a cornerstone for OKC. Gilgeous-Alexander was named to the All-NBA First Team and finished among the top MVP candidates during the 2023–24 season, with a strong possibility of earning his first MVP trophy this year.
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Nickeil’s path has been less glamorous, yet equally impressive. He was drafted 17th overall in 2019 and has played for several teams along his journey—including the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, and now the Minnesota Timberwolves—but has found his niche as a 3-and-D specialist on the perimeter.
The two Canadian cousins aren’t looking to take it easy on one another—and what better or bigger stage to face off than the Western Conference Finals?
