The Oklahoma City Thunder are finally starting to right the ship. After a historic start to the season that had them on pace with the 73-win Golden State Warriors from 2015-16, the team sputtered with four losses in the span of six games, including a Christmas Day rout by the San Antonio Spurs.
However, since then, they’ve won two games by double digits, as things seem to be getting back on track for them. The second of those games, a 140-129 win over the Atlanta Hawks, carried a personal touch for the Thunder and its MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was battling his own flesh and blood.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Family Duel
Since his selection by the Los Angeles Clippers, SGA has always shown tremendous upside. But it is over the last few seasons with Oklahoma City that he’s emerged as one of the best point guards in the entire league.
His ascension has coincided with an illustrious stretch of basketball for the franchise, as they won their first title last season. However, he isn’t the only member of his family making waves in the NBA.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker came into the league in 2019 and was immediately traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until a trade to the Utah Jazz in 2022 that he truly came into his own.
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Even then, it took a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves near the trade deadline in 2023 for Walker to find his true identity. An ideal 3-and-D guy off the bench, he brings elite toughness and intensity as a POA defender.
Thunder Vs Hawks | Best players in this game?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 39 Pts, 6 Reb, 6 Ast, 2 Stl, 62% FG
Chet Holmgren: 24 Pts, 10 Reb, 2 Blk, 64% FG
Vs
Onyeka Okongwu: 26 Pts, 14 Reb, 6 Ast, 50% FG
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 30 Pts, 5 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk pic.twitter.com/fftI23ZT0E
— MyMVP (@My1MVP) December 30, 2025
Add in a sweet shooting stroke that has him hovering around 40% from distance in each of the last two seasons, and his value continued to increase. As a result, the Hawks took a shot at him in free agency, bringing him in on a four-year, $62 million contract.
After their game, Gilgeous-Alexander had some high praise for his first cousin (SGA’s father is NAW’s mother’s own brother). “Really good player. You saw bits and pieces of it last year in Minnesota. Yeah, I knew he was capable of the caliber he’s at now.”
Taking an almighty leap forward for the Hawks, he’s averaging a career-high at 20.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. That leap was on full display when Walker put up 30 points, four rebounds, and five assists against Alexander and the Thunder.