Thunder Dominate Grizzlies 120-103 in Memphis Showdown

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their impressive success against the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 120-103 at FedExForum on March 5, 2025. The game marked the third encounter this season, with OKC winning the previous two, extending their winning streak over Memphis to eight games.

Head Coach Mark Daigneault made a notable adjustment to the starting lineup, opting to rest Chet Holmgren in light of ongoing injury management. Cason Wallace took his place, joining regulars Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein in the starting five. The Grizzlies, coached by Taylor Jenkins, faced their own challenges, with an injured Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined, forcing them to adapt their lineup featuring Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and rookie Zach Edey.

In the first half, both teams fought closely, with the Thunder edging ahead 61-55 by halftime. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the second half as the Thunder showcased their offensive prowess, outscoring Memphis significantly and building a 15-point lead by the halfway mark of the third quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for OKC with a standout performance, scoring 41 points, grabbing two rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. “I just keep playing my game, and my teammates trust me,” Gilgeous-Alexander said post-game. Cason Wallace added a strong contribution with 20 points, five rebounds, and nine assists, further solidifying his presence as a starting player.

Isaiah Hartenstein recorded a double-double, with 10 points and an impressive 15 rebounds, along with three steals, while Jaylin Williams provided solid bench support with 13 points and two blocks. Aaron Wiggins also played a vital role off the bench, notching 16 points in the victory.

For Memphis, Morant returned to action with a commendable 24 points, three rebounds, and six assists following an injury layoff. However, the absence of Jackson Jr. was felt; Memphis struggled to find their rhythm, losing for the third consecutive game. Brandon Clarke was one of the few bright spots off the bench, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The victory improved the Thunder’s record to 51-11, giving them the best standing in the Western Conference, while the Grizzlies fell to 38-24, landing them in fourth place.

The game began with a slow offensive pace, with both teams failing to score in the first five minutes before the offensive action started to heat up. By the end of the first quarter, the Thunder held a narrow 30-27 lead.

“We needed to come out strong in the second half, and the guys did just that,” said Daigneault. “Our depth really showed tonight.”

As the game progressed, the Thunder’s defensive strategy proved effective, allowing them to maintain their lead against a Memphis team struggling to close the gap. After trimming the deficit to six points early in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies could not capitalize, and the Thunder responded with another run to seal the game.