The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off the Playoffs in a historical manner, setting an NBA record for the largest margin of victory ever in a Game 1 by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80. A series is not decided after a single game, but it’s safe to say that OKC has taken control early. Memphis is sure to come out in Game 2 with a renewed focus in an effort to even up the series, but the Thunder has all the momentum.
Loud City: activated 🔋@royceyoung brings us his 3 Things from Game 1 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/t1nTA75Eyz
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 21, 2025
MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored just 15 points on a less-than-stellar 4-of-13 (30.8%) shooting day, but 5 other guys scored at least 12 points as the Thunder tallied a playoff franchise record 37 assists. OKC’s offense didn’t do too much outside of the norm, except for the fact that they amassed 27 fast break points, and that was primarily due to their suffocating defense. Ja Morant managed just 17 points on 6-of-17 (35.3%) from the floor, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had a career playoff low of 4 points.
The entire city of Oklahoma City has big dreams of winning an NBA Finals, but the Thunder know better than to look any farther than the game right in front of them. Taking care of business in Game 2 is the immediate goal, and if OKC can play anything close to how they did in Game 1, then they’ll be just fine.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center
Television: TNT, FanDuel Sports Network – 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: 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 10-10 in the playoffs (7-5 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 in the regular season (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).
- The Thunder has won 9 straight against the Grizzlies, including 7 straight in OKC.
- The Thunder leads the Grizzlies 1-0 in the Western Conference Playoffs Round 1 (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).