The Oklahoma City Thunder desperately needed a win on Wednesday, and it appeared like hosting the Utah Jazz was a perfect reset opportunity. After the Thunder took a 20-point lead in the second quarter, Utah forced the issue, flipping the game upside down as they took an 8-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. OKC battled back, though, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander forced overtime with a buzzer-beater. He continued his dominance in extra time, fueling the Thunder to a 129-125 win behind his 46 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Now OKC heads into Memphis with an extended injury report, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, leaving the Thunder shorthanded when it comes to offensive production. This should be a good opportunity for Jalen Williams to take the lead, and with how often he’s struggled since returning to play, perhaps he can shake off some more rust and get back to being the true second threat that the Thunder desperately needs right now.
OKC isn’t the only team missing guys, though, as Memphis will be without Ja Morant and several other key players. The Grizzlies have a size advantage, though, as Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and Santi Aldama are all threats in the paint, so OKC will have to key in on backcourt and perimeter defense. If the Thunder can force turnovers early and avoid giving up too many offensive rebounds, then they should be able to get out in transition, an area where they excel.
OKC has some tough matchups coming up, including a home meeting with the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Most of the guys on the Thunder’s injury report are dealing with issues that shouldn’t call for missing more than tonight’s game, so the time off will do them some good. Still, OKC needs production aside from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, so games like tonight are a chance for role players to elevate their importance, gain some momentum, and increase their preparation ahead of more difficult games that have yet to be played.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: FedExForum (Memphis, Tennessee)
Television: Peacock, 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: Ajay Mitchell
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Aaron Wiggins
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Branden Carlson
Grizzlies
- PG: Cam Spencer
- SG: Cedric Coward
- SF: Jaylen Wells
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Jock Londale
Injury Report
Thunder
- Alex Caruso (lower back soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (sprained left ankle) is OUT.
- Isaiah Hartenstein (strained left soleus) is OUT.
- Chet Holmgren (bilateral shins soreness) is OUT.
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Cason Wallace (left great toe soreness) is OUT.
- Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) is OUT.
Grizzlies
- Brandon Clarke (strained right calf) is OUT.
- Cedric Coward (sprained left ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Zach Edey (left ankle stress reaction) is OUT.
- Ty Jerome (strained left calf) is OUT.
- John Konchar (left thumb UCL surgery recovery) is DOUBTFUL.
- Ja Morant (right calf contusion) is OUT.
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (left great toe surgery recovery) is OUT.
- Vince Williams Jr. (left patellar tendinitis) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 38-23 against the Grizzlies (22-9 at home, 14-14 on the road) in the regular season and 13-10 in the playoffs (8-5 at home, 5-5 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 2024-25 regular season (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road) before sweeping them in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).
- OKC is 2-0 against Memphis so far this season. (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder has won 15 straight games (regular season and playoffs) against the Grizzlies, including 7 in a row at FedExForum.