NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder Complete Four-Game Sweep of Memphis Grizzlies

On Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a thrilling 117-115 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis, Tennessee. With the win, the Thunder completed a four-game sweep of the Grizzlies in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Oklahoma City, the top seed after a remarkable 68-14 regular season, became the first team to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. They now await the series winner between the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets and the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for the Thunder, delivering a playoff career-high 38 points. After the game, he reflected on his performance, saying, “Every night I step on the floor to be the best version of myself. I hadn’t been in the past (games), but tonight I was pretty close to it. I think because I kept the same mindset, it allowed me to just play free.” His outstanding effort set the tone for Oklahoma City throughout the night.

Jalen Williams scored 23 points, while Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Isaiah Joe each chipped in 11 points. Hartenstein’s presence on the boards was crucial as he grabbed 12 rebounds, helping the Thunder maintain control in key stretches. The collective effort on both ends of the floor proved vital as the team overcame some early struggles.

The game remained tightly contested through three quarters, with Oklahoma City clinging to an 88-85 lead entering the fourth. The Thunder struggled mightily from beyond the arc for most of the night, shooting just 4-for-29 from three-point range across the first three periods. However, they found their rhythm when it mattered most. With 5:41 remaining, Jalen Williams knocked down a crucial three-pointer that gave the Thunder a 102-92 lead. This is their first double-digit advantage of the night.

Memphis refused to go quietly. Desmond Bane hit a clutch three-pointer with just 7.1 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 116-114. Williams then split a pair of free throws, and the Thunder decided to foul Bane intentionally. Bane made the first free throw but missed the second on purpose. Unfortunately for Memphis, they failed to secure the rebound, sealing Oklahoma City’s dramatic win.

Despite the loss, the Grizzlies had several strong individual performances. Scotty Pippen Jr. matched his career-high with 30 points and pulled down 11 rebounds before fouling out late in the game. Interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised his young guard, saying, “Scotty did a tremendous job throughout the end of the season. He was very consistent on both ends.” Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama also played well, each adding 23 points in a gritty effort from Memphis.

After the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault complimented the Grizzlies’ fight. “Their fight tonight was impressive. Down 3-0, down Morant and down 11 with four (minutes) to go. Lot of respect for them competitively,” Daigneault said. However, he also noted that his team might have been “a little bit tighter” once they built the 11-point cushion in the fourth quarter.

For the Grizzlies, the loss closed a disappointing chapter in what had started as a promising season. They only held the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference two months ago. Since then, they fired head coach Taylor Jenkins and promoted Tuomas Iisalo to interim status. Iisalo, who led the team for 15 games, including the postseason, expressed his interest in taking over permanently, saying, “Do I want to be permanent head coach? Yes, why not.“

Moving forward, Memphis faces a critical offseason. The trio of Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ja Morant remains the foundation, but the pressure is on. In five seasons together, they have won only one playoff series. Morant’s dynamic talent is undeniable, yet his availability is a concern after missing 32 regular-season games and one playoff contest this year. Meanwhile, Bane and Jackson must improve in key areas like isolation scoring and playmaking against intense defensive pressure.

Roster changes could also be on the horizon. Luke Kennard, Marvin Bagley III, and Lamar Stevens are expected to leave, while Santi Aldama will likely be re-signed. The Grizzlies may use the mid-level exception to add a seasoned playmaker. Young players like Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson have shown flashes, but their late-season impact was limited due to injuries and development needs. Nonetheless, the team remains confident in their potential. Zach Edey showed notable improvement in rebounding and screen-setting, while Scotty Pippen Jr. continued to develop as a two-way threat, earning praise from Iisalo.

Ultimately, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sweep highlighted their dominance and readiness for bigger challenges. The Thunder look like serious contenders preparing for the Western Conference semifinals. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies enter the offseason with urgent questions to answer if they hope to return stronger next season.