Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's big fourth pushes Thunder over Grizzlies

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as visiting Oklahoma City came back from 19 points down in the first half to post a 114-100 victory Sunday over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 of his points in the second half, including nine in a 31-second span of the fourth quarter. He added seven rebounds and six assists as the Thunder earned their 10th straight win over the Grizzlies in regular-season play. Memphis last defeated Oklahoma City on Dec. 7, 2022.

Chet Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell scored 21 apiece for Oklahoma City and Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Memphis was led by Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 17 points with seven rebounds. Rookie Cedric Coward had 13 points and 10 boards and Santi Aldama finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. Ja Morant had 11 points and eight assists, but was only 3-of-18 shooting.

Oklahoma City began its comeback with a 14-2 run early in the third quarter. Mitchell scored six points during the run, including a 3-pointer. Two ensuing free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander trimmed the Memphis advantage to two points (67-65). A 16-4 run to close the quarter -- with Gilgeous-Alexander accounting for nine of the points -- gave the Thunder an 85-80 lead entering the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Thunder withstood several challenges from the Grizzlies. Memphis tied the game twice at 89 and 91 early in the quarter, but Oklahoma City pulled away behind Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Grizzlies led 62-51 at the half and benefited by having 21 assists on 23 made field goals. Memphis, which led by as many as 19 in the second quarter, got 11 points and eight rebounds from Howard in the opening half. Morant had six assists at the half and a rare made 3-pointer. He entered the game with 21 misses on his previous 22 shots from deep.

Memphis, which has lost five of its last six, closed a four-game homestand Sunday and will play nine of its next 11 on the road.

--Field Level Media