Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ignites fiery family feud with cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker in 2025 West Finals
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The two Canadians realized a childhood dream when they faced off on one of the league's grandest stages. It wasn't just history, or basketball, it was family and a moment fans won't forget.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker share a special NBA playoff moment
In May 2025, fans witnessed something you don't see every day. Two 26-year-olds from Canada, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, weren't just out there chasing a championship.
They were family, tied by blood and years of memories, now standing on opposite sides of a playoff fight that ran much deeper than basketball.
The Western Conference Finals weren't just another playoff round; it was personal.
They grew up in Toronto, side by side. Practice in the driveway. Shoot brackets in local fitness centers. Switching jerseys, dreams and late at night about NBA. Now, years later, they were finally here, not only in the league, but against each other under the brightest light basketball has to offer. And this time it wasn't a random one-to-one in the garden.
It was real. It mattered. And fans could feel it.
After one of the games, Shai spoke about it. 'He got the better of me sometimes, I got the better of him,' he told The Athletic. 'It's something we've dreamt about forever. Crazy, it happened.'
The family was there too. Both sides sat in the crowd, cheering loudly but proudly. It wasn't about who won each game. It was about how far they'd come.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show respect and emotion on the court
Nickeil Alexander-Walker entered the NBA in 2019, one year after Shai.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Their paths stayed close. But this playoff series in 2025 was their biggest moment yet. Both played hard. Shai led the Thunder's offense with strong plays and calm focus. Nickeil answered back with tight defense and big shots.
Even when the games got tough, they never lost respect for each other. On ESPN, one NBA analyst said, 'This was more than basketball. You could feel the emotion every minute.'
As the series ended, the two cousins hugged at center court. The crowd clapped. Cameras caught it all. They didn't need words.
Also Read:
It wasn't just a playoff game. For Shai and Nickeil, it was family, it was heart, and it was the dream they chased since they were boys in Canada.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Thunder F Jalen Williams undergoes wrist surgery, Nov. return expected
Jul 02, 2025 12:44 AM IST Thunder All-Star forward Jalen Williams underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right wrist on Tuesday and is scheduled to be reevaluated in 12 weeks. Thunder F Jalen Williams undergoes wrist surgery, Nov. return expected Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said Monday that Williams played through a torn ligament the entire postseason. Williams, 24, averaged 23.6 points per game in the NBA Finals as the Thunder won their first league championship. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the playoffs after being selected All-NBA Third Team in the regular season. He first sprained his wrist in February. The tear occurred the final week of the regular season. "The part that I'm most impressed with is, in our modern era, when someone has a poor performance or they're not playing to their capability in a game and there's a lot of attention on it, you often see a little birdie make sure that everybody knows that the player is not 100 percent," Presti said Monday of Williams. "Never happened with this guy. Not one time. He powered through. He showed incredible mental endurance and security in himself. I've said this many times: The best players are secure players. And I really thought it was pretty impressive that he just kept moving along with no excuses and obviously played his best basketball down the stretch of the season." Presti said the wrist injury and surgery are routine. But the timeline for his recovery on Tuesday shifted from the start of the regular season to the 12-week mark, which puts Williams' return date in November. "It's not an injury that people have a problem recovering from," Presti said at his end-of-season news conference Monday. "It's pretty common." Field Level Media This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Why NBA stars are struggling with Achilles injuries: Inside the anatomy and pressure of modern basketball
In the myths of old, Achilles—the warrior unmatched—was brought down by a single wound to his heel, the only part of his body untouched by divine protection. Today, on courts lit by LED lights instead of torches, basketball's finest meet a similar fate. Not from enemies, but from within—from the very tendon that once fueled their flight. This season, the NBA has witnessed an unsettling trend—its greatest athletes, men sculpted by repetition and resolve, collapsing without contact, clutching the back of their leg, eyes wide with disbelief. The 2025 NBA Finals were not spared. Tyrese Haliburton—Indiana's rising prince—fell in Game 7, the tendon in his right leg torn like a snapped lyre string. Source: X Dominique Wilkins, the Hall of Famer who once soared above defenders with grace, was not surprised. 'There's already some nagging pain that you don't think about beyond wear and tear,' Wilkins told The Athletic. 'I sympathize with him because the way he went down, it looked like he completely tore it.' Haliburton became the third NBA All-Star to suffer an Achilles tear during the 2025 playoffs, and the seventh player across the league to do so this season. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Just a month old & diagnosed with a rare blood disorder! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Wear, tear, and the unseen wars What is pushing these players to the brink? The answer isn't singular—it is a storm of strain, repetition, and time. Modern NBA players enter the league already worn down. Youth basketball, especially the year-round AAU circuit, has transformed childhood into nonstop competition. The result? Bodies that have performed like professionals long before they've signed a contract. And then there's the game itself. Faster than ever, with relentless movement and impossible expectations. Defenders close out harder. Offensive players sprint into space. Even the shoes—lightweight and low-cut—raise questions about support. But no single culprit explains it all. Dr. Nicholas Strasser, an orthopedic surgeon and consultant to pro sports teams, recognized Halliburton's injury instantly. 'As soon as they showed the replay, you could see it as he took that, what they call, negative step,' Strasser said. 'You could almost see the recoil to it.' A "negative step"—when a player plants their foot behind their body to accelerate—stretches the Achilles tendon to its limit. If that tendon is already worn or inflamed, it can rupture in an instant. No contact required. No warning given. The tear that topples giants To understand the gravity of these injuries, one must understand the tendon itself. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It powers every jump, every sprint, every cut across the court. When it tears—whether from years of wear or one fateful step—it often feels like a kick from behind. There is no graceful collapse. Surgery typically takes under two hours. The athlete lies facedown, sedated, while surgeons suture tendon back to bone. But the real battle begins after the scalpel is set down. In the first weeks, the foot must rest. Atrophy looms. Slowly, weight is reintroduced. Muscle memory must be rebuilt from silence. Six weeks becomes twelve. Twelve becomes six months. For some, it becomes years. Wilkins returned after 282 days—and stunned the world. But such stories are rare. Others—like Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing, even Kevin Durant—have struggled to reclaim their former dominance. Some return and thrive. Others never quite trust their bodies again. Age plays a role. So does nutrition. So does time. Yet the tendon remains an enigma. It heals—but it never forgets. The modern 'Achilles curse' So why now? Why this sudden rash of ruptures? The truth is somewhere between progress and pressure. Today's athletes train harder, play younger, rest less, and compete more. Specialization in basketball begins earlier than ever. Recovery is shortened to meet contracts and fan expectations. Even shoes, while sleeker and faster, may sacrifice stability. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Jimmy Butler was homeless and alone at 13, but a friend's mom became his saving grace
Image credit: Jimmy Butler/Instagram Jimmy Butler started from absolute scratch in building a life that gave him a name, fame, and a game — literally. Life had been tough for him from the start. He never even knew who his father was, as he had walked away when Butler was still an infant. Then, at just 13, his mother threw him out of the house. With no home or money, Butler kept himself going with the help of friends and made it to the NBA through sheer hard work, grit, and determination. Jimmy Butler's journey from homeless teen to NBA stardom In an old interview with ESPN, Butler expressed his dislike for being pitied over his tough childhood. 'There's nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I'm grateful for the challenges I've faced. Please, don't make them feel sorry for me.' Butler has every right to the respect he's earned for surviving his teenage years by moving from one friend's house to another. 'I don't like the look of you. You gotta go,' his mother had said while throwing him out when he was just 13. Among the friends who helped him was Jordan Leslie, who later became an NFL player. Leslie's mother welcomed Butler into their big family of six-seven children and let him stay with them for a few months — on one condition: he had to follow the same rules as her own kids. Butler once revealed that he couldn't believe her graciousness, especially after how his own parents had treated him. Michelle Lambert, Leslie's mother, told ESPN, 'I told him my kids looked up to him. He had to stay out of trouble, work hard in school, and set an example. And you know what? Jimmy did it. Anything I asked him to do, he did it without asking questions.' After managing to get through high school, it was Butler's basketball talent that paved the way forward. He eventually earned an athletic scholarship to Marquette University, where he represented the college team and was named to the All-Big East Honorable Mention list twice during his second and third years. Despite everything, Butler has said he loves his parents and occasionally meets them, holding no hard feelings. Also Read: NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors predicted to land $20 million Boston Celtics center to support Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler and improve title odds He is now a father to a daughter and two sons with his ex-girlfriend, Kaitlin Nowak. As a father, he pays $55,000 in child support. Regardless, his rags-to-riches story remains one of the most inspiring examples of someone who truly rose from the ashes. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
