The Oklahoma City Thunder trailed the Denver Nuggets by 1 point on Saturday night at Ball Arena as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grabbed a defensive rebound with just 8 seconds left. Every person watching the game knew that he was going to take the shot for a chance to win the game, but it didn’t matter.
Despite an off shooting night for the efficient guard, SGA did what he has done so many times already in his short career: he sealed the game with an incredible shot, giving OKC a 118-117 win against the reigning NBA champions. Now the Thunder has a 5-game home stand that includes some tough competition. To kick it off, though, they host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have struggled their way to a 6-18 record as they ready up to play their final game of Ja Morant’s suspension. Unfortunately for Memphis, Morant isn’t the only player they have been missing as they have dealt with injury after injury already this season.
Just a little over two years ago, the Thunder walked into Memphis missing a few key guys and starting a lineup that featured only one current starter (Luguentz Dort) as the Grizzlies trounced the Thunder 152-79 for the largest deficit in NBA history. Now, the two teams have somewhat swapped positions, and perhaps OKC will look to pay Memphis back with a trouncing of their own.
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Memphis Grizzlies Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Grizzlies
- PG: Jacob Gilyard
- SG: Demond Bane
- SF: Vince Williams
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Xavier Tillman
Injury Report
Thunder
- Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).
Grizzlies
- Steven Adams is OUT (PCL surgery in right knee).
- Bismack Biyombo is DOUBTFUL (back soreness).
- Brandon Clarke is OUT (left achilles tendon repair).
- Luke Kennard is OUT (left knee bone bruise).
- Ja Morant is OUT (league suspension).
- Derrick Rose is OUT (strained left hamstring).
- Marcus Smart is OUT (sprained left foot).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 30-23 against the Grizzlies (19-9 at home, 11-14 on the road) in the regular season and 9-10 in the playoffs (6-5 at home, 3-5 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Grizzlies 8 times, lost it 6 times, and tied it once.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Grizzlies last season (2-0 at home, 0-2 on the road).