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OKLAHOMA CITY — Everything that could go wrong for the Memphis Grizzlies, did on Sunday after at the Paycom Center.
The Grizzlies couldn't score. Offense was tough to come by against a vaunted Oklahoma City defense. The results efforts translated to the other end of the floor, resulting in an efficient offensive night for the Thunder and a lackluster performance from Memphis.
Game 1 of the Western Conference first round playoff series convincingly went to Oklahoma City. The Thunder dominated, beating the Grizzlies 131-80.
Sunday was the worst playoff loss in Grizzlies franchise history. The previous worst result came in their last playoff game, a 40-point loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in April 2023.
Memphis did a solid job against Thunder star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He finished with 15 points on 4-for-13 shooting. However, the entire Thunder starting five scored in double figures, led by 20 points from Jalen Williams.
Memphis and OKC will be back in action on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., TNT).
Here are three takeaways from Sunday's Game 1 loss.
The Grizzlies stuck with their same starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Memphis added Scotty Pippen Jr. to the starting five in place of Vince Williams Jr., who was previously filling in for Jaylen Wells. Marvin Bagley III also stayed in the rotation after playing a bigger role in Friday's win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the game, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the Grizzlies are "hard to deal with," but their system isn't "complicated." OKC looked prepared and ready for everything Memphis did in Game 1. Particularly, the Thunder thrived with terrific defense in pick-and-roll.
Memphis hung around throughout most of the first quarter, then OKC took off. The Thunder went on a 34-5 run from the 2:22 mark of the first quarter until 6:53 left in the second. In that time, Memphis went from trailing 21-17 to 55-22.
The game only ballooned from there. Memphis looked overmatched against OKC's physicality.
Ja Morant didn't have an efficient night, but he was one of the Grizzlies' most productive players. He scored 17 points and added four assists in 26 minutes.
Oklahoma City is the NBA's top team at preventing points in the paint, and that's a major part of Morant's game. On Sunday, the Thunder won the battle. Going forward, Morant's jumper will be the key to offsetting OKC's swarming paint presence. He shot 1-for-6 on 3-pointers in Game 1.
It's time for the Grizzlies to flush Sunday and move on. As ugly as Game 1 was, it only counts for one contest. The Grizzlies will need to make adjustments to have a better chance at winning Game 2.
Bagley provided Memphis with a boost, scoring 17 points and making all eight of his shots, but Memphis will need more from its best players. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane combined to shoot 5-for-25.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies dominated in Game 1 loss vs OKC Thunder
Continue reading...
The Grizzlies couldn't score. Offense was tough to come by against a vaunted Oklahoma City defense. The results efforts translated to the other end of the floor, resulting in an efficient offensive night for the Thunder and a lackluster performance from Memphis.
Game 1 of the Western Conference first round playoff series convincingly went to Oklahoma City. The Thunder dominated, beating the Grizzlies 131-80.
Sunday was the worst playoff loss in Grizzlies franchise history. The previous worst result came in their last playoff game, a 40-point loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in April 2023.
Memphis did a solid job against Thunder star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He finished with 15 points on 4-for-13 shooting. However, the entire Thunder starting five scored in double figures, led by 20 points from Jalen Williams.
Memphis and OKC will be back in action on Tuesday (6:30 p.m., TNT).
Here are three takeaways from Sunday's Game 1 loss.
No lineup adjustments for Grizzlies
The Grizzlies stuck with their same starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Memphis added Scotty Pippen Jr. to the starting five in place of Vince Williams Jr., who was previously filling in for Jaylen Wells. Marvin Bagley III also stayed in the rotation after playing a bigger role in Friday's win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Before the game, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the Grizzlies are "hard to deal with," but their system isn't "complicated." OKC looked prepared and ready for everything Memphis did in Game 1. Particularly, the Thunder thrived with terrific defense in pick-and-roll.
OKC run opens it up
Memphis hung around throughout most of the first quarter, then OKC took off. The Thunder went on a 34-5 run from the 2:22 mark of the first quarter until 6:53 left in the second. In that time, Memphis went from trailing 21-17 to 55-22.
The game only ballooned from there. Memphis looked overmatched against OKC's physicality.
Ja Morant stats vs Thunder
Ja Morant didn't have an efficient night, but he was one of the Grizzlies' most productive players. He scored 17 points and added four assists in 26 minutes.
Oklahoma City is the NBA's top team at preventing points in the paint, and that's a major part of Morant's game. On Sunday, the Thunder won the battle. Going forward, Morant's jumper will be the key to offsetting OKC's swarming paint presence. He shot 1-for-6 on 3-pointers in Game 1.
What's next
It's time for the Grizzlies to flush Sunday and move on. As ugly as Game 1 was, it only counts for one contest. The Grizzlies will need to make adjustments to have a better chance at winning Game 2.
Bagley provided Memphis with a boost, scoring 17 points and making all eight of his shots, but Memphis will need more from its best players. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane combined to shoot 5-for-25.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies dominated in Game 1 loss vs OKC Thunder
Continue reading...
