Thunder dominate Grizzlies in battle of West's top teams

Field Level Media|published: Sun 9th February, 24:27 2025

Feb 8, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and Aaron Wiggins added 26 points and 11 rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder topped the Memphis Grizzlies, 125-112, in a matchup of the top two teams in the Western Conference.

Jalen Williams added 25 points and six assists, and Isaiah Hartenstein had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander had eight assists and scored 25 or more points for the 20th consecutive game.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 19 points, snapping a streak of nine straight 20-point games. Santi Aldama came off the bench to contribute 18 points. Ja Morant had 16 points.

The first-place Thunder snapped the Grizzlies' six-game home winning streak. Memphis had been the hottest team in the NBA, winning 10 of its previous 11, including four in a row. Oklahoma City won its fifth straight.

The Thunder made 18 3-pointers in a game they led comfortably throughout. Wiggins had eight from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City led by 28 late in the third quarter, and the Grizzlies never got closer than 12 points in the final period.

Chet Holmgren, who made his return Friday night after a three-month absence, sat out the game to rest his hip. He suffered a pelvic fracture Nov. 10 but played 22 minutes in the Thunder's 121-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The Grizzlies, who entered the game with a 21-5 home record, struggled on multiple fronts in the opening half and trailed 69-52, their largest home halftime deficit this season. Memphis was outrebounded, 34-18, and allowed 19 second-chance points. The Thunder had 13 offensive boards, leading to their second-chance total.

Morant was held in check in the first half, going 1-for-10 shooting and scoring only four points. He managed six assists.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins each had 17 points before halftime and Jalen Williams scored 14. Hartenstein had seven rebounds. Ten of the Thunder's 3-pointers came in the first half.

--Field Level Media

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