Timberwolves wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker said it’s ‘all love’ with his cousin, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Nickeil Alexander-Walker figured he would have dinner with the enemy Thursday in Minneapolis. It’s not standard procedure, but you make exceptions for family.
Alexander-Walker is very close with his cousin, Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And the two were already going to be staying at the same place Thursday — Alexander-Walker has resided at the hotel the Thunder were planning to stay at since the wing was traded from Utah to Minnesota in February.
But any friendly conversations from dinner were not expected to carry over to Friday’s pivotal win-or-go-home play-in game between the Wolves and Thunder.
“I mean, obviously the stakes is high, you know? Win or go home. This is like bragging rights for the whole summer. Just kinda sticking to the game plan, and more focusing on the win than the competition,” Alexander-Walker said. “Not letting the rivalry or the pride get the best of me and take me out of the game.”
Friday marked the first matchup of the season between the cousins. Utah hadn’t yet played the Thunder prior to Alexander-Walker getting traded. The game also set itself up to perhaps be the most Alexander-Walker was asked to specifically guard his cousin in an NBA bout.
Minnesota is short on high-end perimeter defenders after Jaden McDaniels’ hand injury, and Gilgeous-Alexander is the type of player who demands extra attention. Alexander-Walker has been one of Minnesota’s best on-ball defenders over the past two months, and he has familiarity on his side when trying to slow Oklahoma City’s star guard.
“I mean, like, just knowing him so well, you try to get as much of a scouting report against the other team to help us win. It’s kinda like when you play for a team and you get traded, and you gotta play them. You know their ins and outs,” Alexander-Walker said. “Just knowing him my whole life, so I know him pretty well. And the best I can to help my team, I have to tell them everything to get that win, because it’s important for us, and myself as well.”
Alexander-Walker said “it’s love” between he and his cousin, but admitted there is certainly a competitive rivalry between the family members when they take the court.
“This is something we both care about. And we both want to be the best players we can be, so right now, this is all that matters,” he said. “When 48 minutes start, that’s all we’re gonna be thinking about. At the end of the game, it’s gonna be love. Before the game, it’s gonna be love.”
Tough watch
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert admitted it was difficult to watch his team lose to the Lakers in a high-stakes play-in game Tuesday while all he could do was sit and watch from home.
Gobert missed the game because of a team suspension, but also noted he likely would have had to miss the contest regardless because of his back spasms.
“It was tough, especially the way they played. I mean, we had a great game. Maybe one shot, one rebound, one play away from winning that game,” he said. “It’s always hard for me as a competitor to watch and not be able to contribute.”
Thunder love
While Oklahoma City was enemy No. 1 on Friday as the team standing between the Timberwolves and the playoffs, it’s clear there are members of the organization with a great deal of admiration for the up-and-coming Thunder.
“They’ve really grown into a well-oiled machine. I think (Thunder coach Mark Daigneault has) done a great job with those guys, unbelievable job with those guys. They have an identity. They play to their strengths. They play hard. They never quit,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “They’re a really tough out. A fun team to watch, but not for (Friday) night.”
“They just play hard, man. All 48 minutes. They play fast. They play hard,” Wolves guard Anthony Edwards said. “I actually love to watch them play.”
