Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference First Round Game 1 Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

Zachary LowApril 20, 2025 No Comments

For the second season in a row, the Oklahoma City Thunder enters the Western Conference Playoffs as the top seed, and this time, OKC has the best record in the league, locking them into home court advantage through the Playoffs. The Thunder will host the Memphis Grizzlies, who beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night in the Play-In game to earn the 8th spot.

OKC enters the game well-rested and as healthy as they have been at any point in the season, while the Grizzlies are at the least slightly banged up. OKC had Memphis’ number in all four meetings this season, and the same is expected for Game 1 as the Thunder is a double-digit favorite over the Grizzlies.

Expectations are as high as ever for Oklahoma City, and while winning the NBA Finals is the ultimate goal, the Thunder needs to continue their 0-0 mentality and take it a game at a time. Kicking off Game 1 against the Memphis with a dominant win would be a nice way to set the tone towards what will hopefully be the greatest run in OKC history.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Given Big Edge Over Grizzlies for Game 1

Game Details

Tip-Off: 12 PM CT

Location: Paycom Center

Television: ABC

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: Luguentz Dort
  • SF: Jalen Williams
  • PF: Chet Holmgren
  • C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Grizzlies

  • PG: Ja Morant
  • SG: Scotty Pippen Jr.
  • SF: Desmond Bane
  • PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
  • C: Zach Edey

Injury Report

Thunder

  • Ousmane Dieng (strained left calf) is OUT.
  • Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.

Grizzlies

  • Brandon Clarke (strained PCL in right knee) is OUT.
  • GG Jackson (personal reasons) is OUT.
  • Jaylen Wells (fractured right wrist) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder are 36-23 against the Grizzlies (21-9 at home, 13-14 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 regular season series against the Grizzlies 10 times, lost it 6 times, and tied it once.
  • The Thunder went 4-0 against the Grizzlies this season (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).
  • The Thunder has won 8 straight against the Grizzlies, including 6 straight in OKC.

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