Alexander-Walker, Timberwolves claim 8th seed in Western Conference playoffs

BLACKSBURG – Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the Minnesota Timberwolves stymied Oklahoma City 120-95 in front of an electric sellout crowd Friday night at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., in the 2023 AT&T Play-In Tournament. With the win, the Timberwolves clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.

A Virginia Tech standout from 2017-19, Alexander-Walker is set to make his second NBA playoffs appearance. He was a part of the Utah Jazz's first-round series vs. the Dallas Mavericks in 2022. Alexander-Walker contributed 12 points in his first start with the Timberwolves (42-40).



Friday night's matchup with the Thunder (40-42) was a unique experience for Alexander-Walker, a 2019 NBA Draft selection. He was matched up against cousin and Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two grew up together and were born just 52 days apart. With Alexander-Walker guarding his cousin 41 times throughout the game, Gilgeous-Alexander scored just eight points, went 3 of 12 from the floor and drew just two free throws. In total, Alexander-Walker helped hold Gilgeous-Alexander to 5 of 19 shooting (26.3%) from the field, a season-low.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead Minnesota while teammate Rudy Gobert chipped in 21 points and 10 rebounds. Despite his shooting woes, Gilgeous-Alexander posted a team-high 22 points for the Thunder, going 12 for 12 from the free-throw line. The Timberwolves finished with a 58-30 advantage in points in the paint.

Up next, Minnesota will face the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets in a seven-game playoff series. They begin Game 1 on the road on Sunday, April 16 with a scheduled tipoff at 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT. Below is the series schedule.
 

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