The stage is set in Oklahoma City as the top-seeded Thunder prepare to take on the 8th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. While the Thunder dominated the regular season from start to finish, the Grizzlies stumbled into the playoffs after a turbulent year. This 1-vs-8 showdown will feature a head-to-head clash between two electrifying guards—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Ready for a Deep Run?
The Thunder finished the regular season with a league-best 68–14 record and looked virtually unstoppable along the way. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Daigneault, OKC has become a balanced, high-powered team led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged a blistering 32.7 points per game—surpassing Kevin Durant’s MVP season stats.
OKC’s strength goes beyond SGA. Rising star Jalen Williams, rookie standout Chet Holmgren, and the relentless Luguentz Dort round out a strong core. The offseason additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso have also paid dividends, adding depth and playoff experience.
However, questions still linger. Can the young Thunder roster translate regular-season dominance into postseason success? Last year, they were eliminated in the second round by Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks, exposing their playoff inexperience. This year’s journey will determine if they’ve truly matured into championship contenders.
Memphis Grizzlies: Battling Through Adversity
The Grizzlies’ path to the playoffs has been anything but smooth. Once a top-tier team in the West, Memphis slid all the way down to the 8th seed after a rough second half of the season. Contributing to their struggles were multiple injuries and the recent dismissal of head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Despite the setbacks, Memphis clawed their way into the postseason via the Play-In Tournament. After falling to the Warriors, they bounced back with a win over Dallas to clinch the final playoff spot. However, health remains a concern—star guard Ja Morant is expected to play but is still hampered by an ankle injury.
With Morant not at full strength and several key contributors missing, the Grizzlies face an uphill battle against a loaded Thunder team.
Injury Report
Grizzlies:
-
Brandon Clarke (right knee PCL sprain) – Out
-
GG Jackson (personal reasons) – Out
-
Jaylen Wells (right wrist fracture) – Out
Thunder:
-
Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) – Out
-
Ousmane Dieng (left calf strain) – Out
Leave a Reply