Grizzlies blown out by Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City
The Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder looked like two teams that have swapped positions since a December 2021 meeting.
The Grizzlies were the team playing with most of its top pieces healthy, while the Thunder were a young roster with an evolving lineup of changes.
Memphis won that meeting by an Nba-record 73 points, but this time it was the Thunder’s turn to flex their muscles. The Grizzlies fell behind early and never recovered to threaten the team with the best record in the Western Conference in a 124-93 loss on Sunday at Paycom Center.
GG Jackson led the Grizzlies (22-43) with a career-high 30 points. Jackson did most of his damage in the second half. He only scored seven points in the first two quarters before reaching double figures in the third and fourth.
Oklahoma City (45-19) built a 21point lead at halftime that only grew in the second half. Shai Gilgeous-alexander led the Thunder with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Who is active?
The revolving door of active Grizzlies players continues to open, and for most games, there’s no telling who is going to come out. Jordan Goodwin, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. were out due to injuries on Sunday, but GG Jackson and Luke Kennard returned to the lineup.
Jackson and Kennard were joined in the starting lineup by Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jake Laravia. Recent 10-day signee Dejon Jarreau made his Grizzlies debut in the first half and showed promise as a primary playmaker. Wenyen Gabriel, Trey Jemison and Lamar Stevens made up the rest of the bench.
OKC wastes no time
The Thunder jumped out to a quick 13-3 lead that led to Grizzlies timeout. After Jaren Jackson Jr. made a 3-pointer to make it a 16-8 game, that was the last time Memphis was within single digits. This game was unlike several recent Memphis games where the undermanned Grizzlies claw their way through three quarters and give themselves a chance. The Thunder never allowed for that to happen. This was the Grizzlies’ sixth wire-to-wire loss this season.
Luke Kennard keeps streak alive
Even with all of the current shooting and offensive struggles around him, Kennard continues to consistently produce. He’s been one of the NBA’S best NBA shooters over the past four seasons, and that is still the case. The Grizzlies guard has now made a 3-pointer in 21 consecutive games. Before that streak, he went two consecutive games with out a made 3-pointer on seven attempts. Kennard’s previous seasonlong streak was six games before this stretch. His one 3-pointer was his only made shot Sunday.
What’s next
The Grizzlies will return to Memphis for a game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast). The Wizards have the second-worst record in the NBA. Former Grizzlies backup point guard Tyus Jones will return to Memphis for the first time since being traded last offseason.