The Memphis Grizzlies’ reward for prevailing within the Play-In is a first-round date with the mighty Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the NBA Playoffs.
The Memphis Grizzlies would possibly want just a few further Thunder buddies to climate this storm.
Memphis salvaged a tepid end to the 2024-25 season, one which featured the firing of tenured head coach Taylor Jenkins, by prevailing within the Western Convention Play-In Event. Its reward is a first-round date with the Affiliation-leading Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, contemporary off essentially the most profitable season in franchise historical past.
The Thunder (68-14) completed atop the Western Convention for the second consecutive season, because the core headlined by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took sterling steps ahead with the help of newcomers like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Such success comes regardless of continued medical woes for Chet Holmgren, as breakout efforts from Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams stored the Thunder rolling, as did sterling depth performances from Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
Memphis (48-34) spent most of this season atoning for final yr’s disastrous 27-win output. Regardless of additional controversies and medical considerations, it welcomed again Ja Morant to the fold and loved continued robust defensive efforts from Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies additionally put forth probably the most productive draft lessons within the league, as Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells every made main contributions of their Affiliation debuts. However a late swoon nonetheless spelled the top for Jenkins, who was dismissed after six seasons. Assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo has since taken over in his place. Memphis dropped the Play-In opener in opposition to Golden State however took down Dallas thanks partially to a dominant efficiency from an ailing Morant to safe the eighth and closing seed within the West.
That is the fourth postseason assembly between the Thunder and Grizzlies, and the primary since they confronted one another 3 times in 4 seasons between 2011 and 2014. Oklahoma Metropolis received two of that trio, the final being a seven-game triumph in 2014’s opening spherical. The Thunder handily swept this common season’s four-game set, as the common margin of victory stood at just below 19 factors.
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Who: (1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. (8) Memphis GrizzliesWhat: NBA Playoffs, Western Convention, First RoundWhere: Paycom Heart, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK/FedEx Discussion board, Memphis, TNWinners: OKC received season collection 4-0
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Oklahoman to Watch: Isaiah Hartenstein
It is onerous to consider {that a} crew that received 68 video games within the common season ought to having something to show, however that is the place the Thunder discover themselves in after they have been bulled on the boards however the Western Convention-champion Mavericks. Realizing Holmgren could not do it on his personal, the Thunder wasted no time calling in Hartenstein after he leaped into the New York Knicks’ beginning lineup amidst harm woes for Mitchell Robinson. Hartenstein, who exceeded expectations to the tune of a double-double common will get an instantaneous take a look at, as Memphis hopes clogging the paint with Edey and Santi Aldama.
Grizzly to Watch: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Little, if something, must be written about Oklahoma Metropolis’s offensive prowess, however it may be countered, because the Mavericks fortunately proved final season. It is occasions like these the place it does not damage to have earlier Defensive Participant of the 12 months winner in your roster. Jackson figures to be even busier this time round now that Oklahoma Metropolis has plugged one in all its few roles with Hartenstein and a wholesome Holmgren. Oklahoma Metropolis is 6-4 when it’s held to lower than 105 factors this season. Evidently, none of these cases got here in opposition to the Grizzlies.
What They’re Saying
“That’s in all probability an important factor for us as a crew — that everyone is entering into their very own every time the time requires them. That’s one of many luxuries of this crew. We’ve so many guys who’re expert, versatile and might play. So a variety of that for me is attempting to maintain guys to be aggressive, even myself.”-Alex Caruso (h/t Mark Medina, Athlon Sports activities)
“I really feel like this [injury] was harder than others,” Morant stated. “Clearly, regular-season video games, it isn’t win or go house. So this one was far more troublesome — the entire course of, like, studying what I must do to have the ability to get on the market. I used to be sort of questioning it, however with our workers, the medical doctors, they gave me all the information I wanted and [in the] easiest phrases so I’ll perceive. From that time, it was just about straightforward. I needed to be on the ground. I needed to play this recreation and get the win.”-Ja Morant on his Play-In efficiency vs. Dallas (h/t ESPN)
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Prediction
The presence of Morant might a minimum of guarantee some shut video games, however it’s onerous to guess in opposition to the Thunder on this one. Sure, they will maybe profit from a late-season push that noticed them primarily begin the postseason early, however the Thunder is way too highly effective to make a transfer. Apart from, Oklahoma Metropolis shall be trying to make a press release: regardless of one other first-place end, some are skeptical of the Thunder’s postseason prowess after final yr’s journey resulted in disappointment in opposition to Dallas.
It is honest to count on Morant to assist a steal a recreation … however something is way too tall a activity.
Thunder in 5
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Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
