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Bonus Timberwolves play-in drama: A battle of cousins at Target Center tonight

Since he came to the Timberwolves in February, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has stayed in a hotel, the same hotel that was set to house the Thunder on their visit to Minneapolis for Friday's play-in game.

That meant Alexander-Walker didn't have to do much planning in order to catch up with his cousin, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The two Canadians grew up in Ontario about 40 minutes from each other, and were close throughout their childhood. Gilgeous-Alexander's father, Vaughn, is the brother of Alexander-Walker's mother, Nicole.

“I know him pretty well. The best I can to help my team, I have to tell them everything to get that win, because it's important for us, and myself as well.