Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander sends message to cousin ahead of West Final

Not only will the NBA’s Western Conference Final feature a prominent Canadian on each team, but there will also be family bragging rights on the line.

And while Gilgeous-Alexander appreciates how special the moment will be, don’t expect him to take it easy on Alexander-Walker just because they share blood.

“It’ll be very fun,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters after Sunday’s series-clinching win over the Denver Nuggets. “It’s hard to even explain. If you know how close we are, he’s like my second brother. We’ve been through every stage of life together… It’s very special. But I’m going to take his head off for sure.”

Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker were teammates in high school at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and have teamed up once again for Team Canada over the past few summers.

But as SGA pointed out, you can throw all that family bonding out the window with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.

Game 1 of the West Final is set for Tuesday in Oklahoma City.