Gilgeous-Alexander scores 27 as the
Thunder roll past Grizzlies 118-99 to take 2-0 series lead
[April 23, 2025]
By CLIFF BRUNT
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, and
the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 118-99 on
Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff
series.
Oklahoma City delivered a strong follow-up to its record-setting
131-80 win on Sunday in the series opener. Though Memphis was the
team with something to prove, the Thunder came out with the energy.
Oklahoma City opened with a 9-0 run and held Memphis scoreless for
the first 3 1/2 minutes as the Grizzlies missed their first 10
shots.
The Thunder led 32-17 at the end of the first quarter and never
trailed.
“We never underestimate our opponent, no matter what,” Gilgeous-Alexander
said. “Obviously they’re a very good team. They wouldn’t be here if
they weren’t. And we just wanted to make an emphasis to come out and
win that first quarter, set the tone for the night.”
Jalen Williams added 24 points and Chet Holmgren had 20 points, 11
rebounds and five blocks for the top-seeded Thunder.
Oklahoma City's offense produced, despite Gilgeous-Alexander making
just 10 of 29 shots.
“Everybody that touched the court played with confidence, played the
right way, and we’re going to need that," Thunder coach Mark
Daigneault said. "You know, in all these games, it’s going to be
different guys on different nights.”
The Thunder have won all six games against the Grizzlies this season
by double digits.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 26 points and Ja Morant added 23 for
Memphis, which will host Game 3 on Thursday.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who had been off for the first five quarters of
the series, found his shot in the second quarter. He hit two
3-pointers 55 seconds apart to put Oklahoma City up 55-38. Oklahoma
City led 70-52 at the break after setting a team playoff record with
12 3-pointers in the first half.
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, shoots
over Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, right, during the first half
in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 22,
2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Memphis started hot in the third and cut its
deficit to single digits, but the Thunder took a 90-79 lead into the
fourth.
“The difference was that we started seriously competing in the third
quarter and basically played them to a tie after that," Memphis
interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said. "But it’s against a team of this
caliber, we need that for the whole 48 minutes right from the get
go. And we’ve got to have an attack mindset right from the start and
not take any steps back.”
Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace faked out Zach Edey, then went
baseline for a one-handed jam that put the Thunder up 97-79 and
brought the crowd to its feet.
The Thunder held Memphis scoreless for nearly four minutes to start
the fourth. It was the second straight game that Memphis failed to
score at least 100 points.
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