Thunder Set to Storm Grizzlies in High-Stakes Playoff Opener
Alright, let’s talk about what’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting showdowns of the NBA playoffs — the Oklahoma City Thunder going up against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first round. The energy is already high, and for good reason. Oklahoma City has been on an absolute tear this season, and they’re coming into this matchup looking locked in, fresh, and fired up.
The Thunder capped off their regular season winning eight of their last ten games, and they did it with style. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge and Jalen Williams backing him up, OKC looks like they’re built for a deep postseason run. They’ve got depth, momentum, and a healthy core — which is a huge deal this time of year. The only names on the Thunder injury list are Nikola Topić, who hasn’t suited up all season, and Ousmane Dieng, still nursing that calf injury. Otherwise, their rotation is intact and dangerous.
Now, the Grizzlies? They’re walking into this series with a little more wear and tear. They made it here by battling through the Play-In Tournament, where they took down Dallas convincingly, but playing high-stakes ball with little rest might cost them against this well-rested OKC squad. Memphis will be without Zyon Pullin and G.G. Jackson for Game 1 — the latter being a real loss considering how impactful he’s been off the bench. They're also still missing Jaylen Wells and Brandon Clarke, both out for the season.
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But don’t count them out just yet. Ja Morant is back, and even though he’s just a few games removed from a sprained ankle, his presence alone can turn the tide in an instant. If Ja can stay explosive and stay healthy, and if guys like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. can find their rhythm early, Memphis might keep things competitive. But that's a big “if” when you’re facing the top seed in the West.
What makes OKC so scary isn’t just Shai’s scoring — though let’s be real, he’s been nearly unstoppable this year — it’s their depth and defensive tenacity. Lu Dort is a problem on the perimeter, and when you add in names like Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, you’ve got a rotation that runs deep and hard. The Thunder have been the best team in the league when trailing by double digits — 18 wins in those situations, the best record in 29 seasons . That says a lot about their resilience and confidence under pressure.
Honestly, this series feels like a changing of the guard moment. Not long ago, Memphis was where OKC is now — the young, electric team on the rise. But now, the Thunder are the ones flexing as the future of the Western Conference. Game 1 is going to set the tone, and with OKC’s firepower and momentum, it’s hard not to see them taking control early.
So buckle up — tip-off is at 1:00 PM Eastern on ABC. Let’s see if the Grizzlies can weather the Thunderstorm, or if OKC starts this playoff run with a statement win.
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