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.<\/p>\n
However, since then, they\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Family Duel<\/p>\n
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\u2019s emerged as one of the best point guards in the entire league.<\/p>\n
His ascension has coincided with an illustrious stretch of basketball for the franchise, as they won their first title last season. However, he isn\u2019t the only member of his family making waves in the NBA<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t until a trade to the Utah Jazz in 2022 that he truly came into his own.<\/p>\n MORE: Latest NBA Power Rankings<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Thunder Vs Hawks | Best players in this game?<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/p>\n