Toronto-born cousins facing off at NBA conference finals

Julia Alevato · CBC News

· Posted: May 21, 2025 5:42 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 hours ago

Toronto hoops fans person plentifulness of reasons to tune into the NBA's league finals — even though the Raptors play is long-over.

Toronto-born Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder are taking connected his cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and the Minnesota Timberwolves successful the Western Conference finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander's father, Vaughn Alexander told CBC Toronto Wednesday that seeing his lad and nephew vie against each different successful the NBA feels "surreal."

"Any antheral wins, I win," said Alexander. "One of them is going to play successful an NBA final." 

He coached Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker erstwhile they were kids. 

The 2 cousins, who were calved conscionable 2 months apart, person been playing sports unneurotic their full lives, which Alexander says has helped make a competitory situation betwixt the two. 

"They're going to spell hard astatine each other and they've been doing this each their life, but they cognize astatine the extremity of the day, it's each love," said Alexander.  

He said his lad and nephew have been champion friends since they were kids and played unneurotic connected the aforesaid squad until separating for college, erstwhile Gilgeous-Alexander started playing for the Kentucky Wildcats, and Alexander-Walker for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets successful the 2018 NBA draft and his relative was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets a twelvemonth later.

Alexander says it doesn't substance who wins the bid astatine the extremity of the day, due to the fact that this is simply a "win-win" concern for him.

"It's a beauteous bully occupation to have," helium said. "I can't lose, right? I've got 2 kids successful the Western Conference finals."

"I conscionable privation some of them to play well, beryllium healthy, and person a bully series, and aft that, I'll observe either way."

When asked astir however it feels to vie against his cousin, Gilgeous-Alexander said it's precise special.

"He's virtually similar my 2nd brother. He's been done each signifier successful beingness with me," helium told reporters successful a post-game interrogation connected Sunday.

WATCH | The 2 cousins connected increasing up successful the GTA, playing for Team Canada successful the 2024 Olympics: 

"For some of america to beryllium wherever we are is special. To vie against each different is adjacent much special. But I americium trying to instrumentality his caput off, for sure," said Gilgeous-Alexander.

On Tuesday night, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 114-88 successful Game 1 of the best-of-seven league final.

The 2 teams volition look each different again for Game 2 connected Thursday night.