Thunder Overcome Struggles, Dominate Grizzlies in 120-103 Win

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Oklahoma City Thunder regained their defensive prowess on Wednesday night, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 120-103 at FedExForum. The win marked the Thunder’s fifth consecutive victory and solidified their position as a top contender in the Western Conference, improving their record to seven wins in their last eight games.

Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 41 points and eight assists, showcasing his scoring ability in the wake of a recent 51-point performance against the Houston Rockets. “We’ve been talking about it,” said guard Lu Dort, reflecting on the team’s earlier struggles following the All-Star break. “Tonight was a good one. We know it’s our standard, and it was brought up in every meeting we had.”

Entering the matchup, the Thunder’s defensive rating had dipped to 117.1 post-All-Star break, ranking them 21st in the league during that span. Coach Mark Daigneault noted that the team had been aware of their defensive decline, stating, “Some of it was shooting variance, but I didn’t think our energy level was quite to the level that it’s been for much of the season. And I thought we returned to that tonight.”

The Thunder’s defensive effort was evident as Memphis never scored more than 30 points in any quarter and only managed 48 points in the second half. Grizzlies star Ja Morant, returning from injury, led his team with 24 points but struggled with his shot, finishing 8-of-22 from the field. Teammates Desmond Bane and Scotty Pippen Jr. added 15 points each, but the Grizzlies fell short.

The game shifted midway through the second quarter when Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins received a technical foul after expressing frustration over the Thunder’s physical defense. The subsequent free throw by Gilgeous-Alexander, followed by three-pointers from Jaylin Williams and Isaiah Joe, gave the Thunder a 61-55 lead at halftime. “That was definitely the turning point,” Daigneault said.

The Thunder maintained their intensity in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 9-0 run. This was part of a larger 14-2 stretch that widened their lead to 15 points. By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City held a comfortable 91-78 advantage.

Isaiah Hartenstein contributed significantly to the Thunder’s success, scoring 10 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Jalen Williams also made an impact, finishing the night with 20 points, including several key three-pointers.

Looking ahead, the Thunder will return home for a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, while the Grizzlies, who have now lost four straight games, will visit the Dallas Mavericks the same night. Coach Jenkins acknowledged the need for adjustments, stating, “We have to find ways to close games more effectively. The turnovers and shooting percentages have to improve if we want to be contenders.”

The Thunder’s victory underscores their return to form and highlights the leadership of Gilgeous-Alexander as he continues to inspire confidence in his teammates.