Nickeil Alexander-Walker reaches Western Conference Final after stunning Denver

Going into their Western Conference Semifinal series against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves knew they had a huge opportunity in front of them. After winning the first games of the series on the road, they had the champs frustrated. Denver, as champions do, responded and won three of the next four games to force a Game 7 at home Sunday night.

In what could be considered a stunner, the Timberwolves fought back from a 15-point halftime deficit to stun the Nuggets and end their season with a 98-90 victory. For former Virginia Tech Hokies guard/small forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, he gets a trip to the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Mavericks.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker helps Minnesota pull the upset

Throughout the playoffs, Alexander-Walker has been a thron in the side of the Phoenix Suns and Nuggets with his defense. He welcomed the challenge against Phoenix and help his team sweep the opening round, then he frustrated Jamal Murray and the Nuggets the last two weeks.

In Game 7, he didn't register a point in 17 minutes of action, missing all six field goal attempts, five from behind the arc, but it was his work on the other end of the floor that allowed star Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns and company put together a stunning second half comeback.

He has been a key contributor this postseason for head coach Chris Finch averaging over 27 minutes a night, and nine points, but things are going to get tougher against Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks.

Minnesota goes from the underdog to the favorite in the Western Conference Final against Dallas and is just four wins away from the NBA Final against either the Boston Celtics or Indiana Pacers. If one thing is for sure, Alexander-Walker will make it very difficult for the Mavericks over the next two weeks.