EAGAN, Minnesota — On Tuesday afternoon, the talk at Akway's Sports Barbershop in Eagan was all about the Timberwolves' Game 7 win over the Nuggets.
But it was touch and go for awhile.
"I saw we were down 20. I took a few shots to numb the pain," Akeem Akway said, laughing.
Akway recalled Sunday night while cutting Michael Grady's hair — the television play-by-play voice of the Wolves.
"Given the circumstances, it being a Game 7 and chance to go to the conference finals, that's probably the best game that I've covered. Hands down," Grady said.
Grady has been going to Akway every other week for the past two years.
"I came to the Timberwolves from New York. I was with the Brooklyn Nets. So, very important for a brother when he moves into a new city to find a barber. That's like number one on the list," Grady recalled.
He went to social media and was recommended Akway.
"Someone said, 'I saw an article on a guy who cuts hair for the team. You should check him out,'" Grady said.
Akway started his career in high school, cutting hair in the locker room for his basketball teammates.
"Gary Trent Jr. and Tre Jones. I started cutting them while they were still in high school... Apple Valley," Akway said. "I remember I told Tre Jones, 'If you send me Tyus, I'll give you free cuts for the rest of your life.'"
Karl-Anthony Towns then found Akway through social media.
"Me and KAT... he built that relationship where he would just send all the new guys to me. So I've witnessed the Timberwolves during their downtime, since KAT got drafted in 2015, to now we're in the Western Finals," Akway said. "I'm just happy to see them... finally their hard work is paying off."
Tuesday after seeing Grady, Akway had plans to cut Towns' hair before Wednesday's home game against the Mavericks.
Akway has sat courtside for many of the Timberwolves' games this season.
"I would be sitting courtside and seeing some of my work... them playing well. I always give myself a little credit for that," Akway said, laughing.
Grady chimed in, "Look good, play good."
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: