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The Memphis Grizzlies’ reward for prevailing in the Play-In is a first-round date with the mighty Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs.
The Memphis Grizzlies might need a few extra Thunder buddies to weather this storm.
Memphis salvaged a tepid finish to the 2024-25 season, one that featured the firing of tenured head coach Taylor Jenkins, by prevailing in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Its reward is a first-round date with the Association-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off the most successful season in franchise history.
The Thunder (68-14) finished atop the Western Conference for the second consecutive season, as the core headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took sterling steps forward with the assistance of newcomers like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Such success comes despite continued medical woes for Chet Holmgren, as breakout efforts from Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams kept the Thunder rolling, as did sterling depth performances from Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
Memphis (48-34) spent most of this season atoning for last year’s disastrous 27-win output. Despite further controversies and medical concerns, it welcomed back Ja Morant to the fold and enjoyed continued strong defensive efforts from Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies also put forth one of the most productive draft classes in the league, as Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells each made major contributions in their Association debuts. But a late swoon nonetheless spelled the end for Jenkins, who was dismissed after six seasons. Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has since taken over in his place. Memphis dropped the Play-In opener against Golden State but took down Dallas thanks in part to a dominant performance from an ailing Morant to secure the eighth and final seed in the West.
This is the fourth postseason meeting between the Thunder and Grizzlies, and the first since they faced each other three times in four seasons between 2011 and 2014. Oklahoma City won two of that trio, the last being a seven-game triumph in 2014’s opening round. The Thunder handily swept this regular season’s four-game set, as the average margin of victory stood at just under 19 points.
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Who: (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis GrizzliesWhat: NBA Playoffs, Western Conference, First RoundWhere: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK/FedEx Forum, Memphis, TNWinners: OKC won season series 4-0
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Oklahoman to Watch: Isaiah Hartenstein
It’s hard to believe that a team that won 68 games in the regular season should having anything to prove, but that’s the position the Thunder find themselves in after they were bulled on the boards but the Western Conference-champion Mavericks. Realizing Holmgren couldn’t do it on his own, the Thunder wasted no time calling in Hartenstein after he leaped into the New York Knicks’ starting lineup amidst injury woes for Mitchell Robinson. Hartenstein, who exceeded expectations to the tune of a double-double average gets an immediate test, as Memphis hopes clogging the paint with Edey and Santi Aldama.
Grizzly to Watch: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Little, if anything, needs to be written about Oklahoma City’s offensive prowess, but it can be countered, as the Mavericks happily proved last season. It’s times like these where it doesn’t hurt to have previous Defensive Player of the Year winner on your roster. Jackson figures to be even busier this time around now that Oklahoma City has plugged one of its few roles with Hartenstein and a healthy Holmgren. Oklahoma City is 6-4 when it is held to less than 105 points this season. Needless to say, none of those instances came against the Grizzlies.
What They’re Saying
“That’s probably the most important thing for us as a team — that everybody is stepping into their own whenever the time calls for them. That’s one of the luxuries of this team. We have so many guys who are skilled, versatile and can play. So a lot of that for me is trying to keep guys to be aggressive, even myself.”-Alex Caruso (h/t Mark Medina, Athlon Sports)
“I feel like this [injury] was more difficult than others,” Morant said. “Obviously, regular-season games, it’s not win or go home. So this one was way more difficult — the whole process, like, learning what I would have to do to be able to get out there. I was kind of questioning it, but with our staff, the doctors, they gave me all the info I needed and [in the] simplest terms so I will understand. From that point, it was pretty much easy. I wanted to be on the floor. I wanted to play this game and get the win.”-Ja Morant on his Play-In performance vs. Dallas (h/t ESPN)
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Prediction
The presence of Morant could at least ensure some close games, but it’s hard to bet against the Thunder in this one. Yes, they can perhaps benefit from a late-season push that saw them essentially start the postseason early, but the Thunder is far too powerful to make a move. Besides, Oklahoma City will be looking to make a statement: despite another first-place finish, some are skeptical of the Thunder’s postseason prowess after last year’s trip ended in disappointment against Dallas.
It’s fair to expect Morant to help a steal a game … but anything is far too tall a task.
Thunder in 5
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Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
