Latest news with #NickeilAlexanderWalker
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Thunder aim to secure conference finals victory over the Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference) Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -8.5; over/under is 220.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Thunder lead series 3-1 BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder look to clinch the Western Conference finals over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 128-126 in the last meeting on Tuesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 40 points, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Timberwolves with 23.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40, Thunder defense forcing 23 turnovers has OKC one win from NBA Finals
It was the two words in all caps and red ink at the top of the scouting report for Minnesota going into the Western Conference Finals: Limit turnovers. The Timberwolves had to break even in the possession game to upset the Thunder in this series. They failed at that in the biggest moment of their season Monday night — Minnesota turned the ball over 23 times and allowed 19 Oklahoma City offensive rebounds in Game 4. The result was the Thunder getting up 11 more shots in the game. Advertisement That was the difference in what an epic, high-level playoff game, one of the best of the postseason. Well, turnovers and a career playoff high 40 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City hung on at the end for a 128-126 Game 4 win that puts them up 3-1 in the series. The Thunder can close the series out Wednesday night at home. This is a gut-punch loss for the Timberwolves because they played well enough to win: • Minnesota created better looks most of the night. • Minnesota shot better, including 18-of-41 (43.9%) from 3. • Minnesota grabbed 19 offensive rebounds themselves. • Minnesota got 64 points from their bench behind Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, Donte DiVincenzo scoring 21, including five 3-pointers, and 11 points from Naz Reid. Advertisement 'Definitely sucks being that close…' Alexander-Walker said postgame. 'Everything is out there, there are no secrets — they know how to beat us and we know how to beat them.' What hurt the Thunder was a slow start and rough night from Anthony Edwards, who scored 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Which was better than Julius Randle, who struggled again with five points on 1-of-7 shooting (but nine rebounds). Not only did SGA step up for the Thunder, but so did their next stars: Jalen Williams had 34 points, including six 3-pointers, while Chet Holmgren had 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, including a critical one late. After coming out flat and getting blown out in Game 3, the Thunder came out Monday with increased defensive ball pressure and activity — looking like themselves again — except it didn't work. For example, the Thunder defense forced the ball to Jaden McDaniels, but he responded with 10 early points. Minnesota shot 63.2% in the first quarter but trailed 37-30 after one because of their seven turnovers in the frame. That was the theme of the night. Advertisement So was Oklahoma City taking a small lead (never more than 11) and then Minnesota walking them down. It was a physical, intense, high-level game of basketball played well by both teams. The last time the Thunder got one of those small leads they held on, and now they have a commanding lead in the series.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's dad on how SGA's NBA dream began and his rivalry with cousin Nickeil
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's dad, Vaughan, on how his son's path to the NBA started with his hopes that basketball would lead Shai to a university scholarship and his son's rivalry with and affection for his cousin, Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Toronto-born cousins facing off at NBA's conference finals
Social Sharing Toronto basketball fans have plenty of reasons to tune into the NBA's conference finals — even though the Raptors season is long-over. 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. Gilgeous-Alexander's father, Vaughn Alexander told CBC Toronto Wednesday that seeing his son and nephew compete against each other in the NBA feels "surreal." "Any man wins, I win," said Alexander. "One of them is going to play in an NBA final." He coached Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker when they were kids. The two cousins, who were born just two months apart, have been playing sports together their whole lives, which Alexander says has helped create a competitive environment between the two. "They're going to go hard at each other, and they've been doing this all their life, but they know at the end of the day, it's all love," said Alexander. He said his son and nephew have been best friends since they were kids, and played together on the same team until separating for college when Gilgeous-Alexander started playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, and Alexander-Walker for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA draft, and his cousin was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets a year later. Alexander says it doesn't matter who wins the series at the end of the day, because this is a "win-win" situation for him. "It's a pretty good problem to have," he said. "I can't lose, right? I've got two kids in the Western Conference finals." "I just want both of them to play well, be healthy, and have a good series, and after that, I'll celebrate either way." When asked about how it feels to compete against his cousin, Gilgeous-Alexander said it's very special. "He's literally like my second brother. He's been through every stage in life with me," he told reporters in a post-game interview on Sunday. WATCH | The two cousins talk about growing up on the GTA, playing for Team Canada in the 2024 Olympics: Paris 2024 is a childhood dream come true for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker 10 months ago Duration 5:15 NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are headed to Paris together with Team Canada. The pair sit down with CBC's Dwight Drummond to discuss how growing up in the GTA helped shape the players they are now, and their epic driveway battles. "For both of us to be where we are is special. To compete against each other is even more special. But I am trying to take his head off, for sure," said Gilgeous-Alexander. On Tuesday night, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 114-88 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven conference final. The two teams will face each other again for Game 2 on Thursday night.
New York Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Timberwolves' Nickeil Alexander-Walker finds right frame of mind at perfect time
MINNEAPOLIS — It seems so counterintuitive. To do the thing you're trying desperately to do, you must loosen your grip. Let go, they say. Care less. If only it were that easy. For more than a week, Nickeil Alexander-Walker had been toying with different tactics to accomplish this mental release. The ball simply wouldn't fall. He clanked 3-pointers from the right wing. Corner treys swirled in and out. He thought about luck turning in his favor. It didn't. He rehearsed the shots he'd made earlier that morning. That didn't help, either. Advertisement Finally, before Thursday night's Minnesota Timberwolves victory against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, Alexander-Walker reframed his approach. He recalled the mindset that earned him his pivotal bench role in the first place: rebounding, defending and playing with pace. Prioritize those facets of the game, he told himself, and he would be satisfied with whatever outcome. The shift worked. When teammates fed him the ball on offense, he hoisted with a different degree of clarity. Four of his six 3-point attempts dropped. The result — a 20-point outburst, his playoff career high — earned a direct compliment from Timberwolves coach Chris Finch. 'We really needed this game from him,' Finch said. 'We challenged him yesterday to be able to contribute like this. Like he has all season.' Minnesota's depth removes the onus on any individual player. Anthony Edwards does not have to be his typical, magnetic self for the Timberwolves to win. Julius Randle does not always have to account for as many baskets as he did Thursday night. Off nights for Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo or Jaden McDaniels don't doom all hopes. However, the margin for error increases dramatically when all of the key cogs are operating at full capacity. That includes Alexander-Walker. The 26-year-old is hyper-aware that his production matters for his future and, more relevant to now, his team's present opportunity. Miss open shots, and it'll further incentivize defenses to load up on drives. Pass up open shots because of those struggles, and the rhythm will evaporate. Alexander-Walker sees the bigger picture. It's helped him survive and thrive in a league that eats young players alive. 'He is way more intelligent and conscientious than many realize,' said Buzz Williams, who coached Alexander-Walker at Virginia Tech. Advertisement Those two traits are constant themes throughout Alexander-Walker's arc. Following his final collegiate game, a two-point loss to Duke in the 2019 Sweet Sixteen, Alexander-Walker hunched in a hotel room with teammate and close friend Wabissa Bede. The two-point loss crushed Alexander-Walker, sure, but Ede remembered Alexander-Walker ruminating over the same thought. That's probably the last time we'll get to play on the same team together. The last time ever. Man… Years later, after a topsy-turvy beginning to his NBA career, Alexander-Walker noticed his future hinged on adapting. He may have been a scorer all of his life, slashing to the basket and weaving his way to the rack to average double digits, but it would not keep him on the court at this level. Crouching into a stance and stalking the dribbler 94 feet? Alexander-Walker became that type of defender out of necessity. Quickly launching corner 3s before closeouts arrived? Alexander became a 38 percent shooter from NBA range. Skying for rebounds? Passing and cutting? These are the tasks he could not think are beneath him. This may not have resonated in 2019 during his rookie season. He may not have absorbed this reality until he was traded for the third time in 2022 to Minnesota. 'A lot of guys in Nickeil's position don't adapt,' said Ryan Pannone, who coached the New Orleans Pelicans' G-League affiliate from 2019-2022. 'They play themselves out of the NBA. The NBA will move on from you quick, man. What he's done is incredible. It's a testament to his work ethic, to his commitment, to his character.' The tales are endless. At Virginia Tech, Alexander-Walker arrived at the gym in the wee hours, organizing workouts later nicknamed 'The Breakfast Club.' With the Pelicans, Alexander-Walker played a G-League game with a broken hand. Doctors cleared him to use only his left. He drained a 3-pointer from the right wing on the first possession and was, according to Pannone, still the best player on the court. Alexander-Walker had a distinct level of intentionality long before he arrived at this stage. Advertisement But Finch and the Timberwolves staff still deserve additional credit. Minnesota's coaches have provided him incremental minutes over the last three seasons. His rebound, assist and point averages have all risen. The mutual respect and trust allows Finch and others to coach Alexander-Walker with some bite. Hence, the challenge from the staff before Thursday night. Alexander-Walker had been reeling. He shot 9-of-34 in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, then began Game 1 against the Warriors by going 0-of-3. Teammates noticed his angst. They could see the struggles spilling over to the rest of his versatile role. Alexander-Walker searched for any tidbit of inspiration. He reminded himself of variance. He read a Bible verse. He even watched one of Gilbert Arenas's podcasts, during which Arenas discussed players' psyches in the playoffs, feeling like they need to do more. Alexander-Walker felt seen. Caring consumed him. It wasn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last. Unsurprisingly, he seemed cognizant of all of this after the relief of Thursday night, so much so that he mentioned hoping to teach his son the lesson of this stretch: That it could and can always be overcome.
