Thunder Win Game 1
The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just show up for Game 1they delivered a resounding statement. In front of a raucous Paycom Center crowd, the youngest No. 1 seed in NBA history came out swinging and landed the first punch in what promises to be a slugfest of a playoff series. With a 94–92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City took an early 1-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round battle, and if anyone still had lingering doubts about this team’s playoff mettle, well… they’ve just been thunderously answered.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The Calmest Star on the Court
You could feel the tension in the building with three minutes to go and the Thunder clinging to a one-point lead. That’s when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP finalist and unquestioned engine behind this young upstart squad, reminded everyone why he’s one of the NBA’s most composed assassins.
SGA poured in 28 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, but it wasn’t just the statsit was the poise. Whether it was his silky floaters or the cold-blooded midrange dagger with under a minute remaining, Gilgeous-Alexander played like someone who’s been here before. Spoiler: he hasn’t, not at this level. But you’d never know it.
“He just doesn’t flinch,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault postgame. “You want guys who live for that moment, and Shai thrives in it. That’s what leaders do.”
Thunder Defense: Grit, Grind, and Disruption
Every playoff game has a tone-setter, and Oklahoma City’s Game 1 narrative was written on the defensive end. The Grizzlies were held to just 92 pointstheir lowest output in over two monthsand it wasn’t simply a matter of missed shots. The Thunder closed out on shooters, challenged every drive, and hounded Memphis’ backcourt with relentless traps and switches.
Lu Dort was, in a word, suffocating. Assigned to shadow Desmond Bane for much of the night, Dort made life miserable for the Grizzlies’ top scorer, limiting him to just 5-of-17 shooting from the floor. Add in Chet Holmgren’s five-block performance in his playoff debut, and you’ve got a defensive display that screamed maturity beyond this group’s years.
No Stage Fright for the Kids
Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and rookie dynamo Cason Wallacenone of them have previous playoff experience. Didn’t matter. These guys looked like battle-tested veterans, feeding off the crowd and never appearing rattled, even as the Grizzlies mounted a furious fourth-quarter run that briefly saw them take the lead.
“We’re not just happy to be here,” said Holmgren after the game. “We want to win. We expect to win.” Spoken like a man a decade older than his 22 years.
Memphis: Close, But Not Close Enough
To their credit, the Grizzlies didn’t roll over. Despite being without Ja Morant, who remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, Memphis scrapped and clawed their way back into the game. Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 31 points, often bailing out a stagnant offense with isolation buckets and timely putbacks.
But without Morant’s ability to collapse defenses and generate transitions, the Grizzlies struggled to find rhythm. The Thunder’s length forced errant passes, and Memphis mustered just 6 fast break points on the nighta number that simply won’t cut it if they want to make this a series.
What Game 1 Taught Us
It wasn’t perfect. Oklahoma City had their own issuesthe team shot just 26% from beyond the arc and turned the ball over 14 times in the second half. But their ability to respond in the big moments, especially against a gritty team that doesn’t go away easily, felt significant.
- Gilgeous-Alexander is The Guy – He has the clutch gene and the leadership chops to carry this team.
- Thunder defense is legit – Holding a playoff team under 100 in Game 1? That’s championship DNA.
- Memphis needs help – Without Morant, their offense is often stagnant and predictable.
Game 2: More Than Just a Sequel
If Game 1 was about sending a message, Game 2 is about control. The Thunder have flipped the postseason narrative on its head by rising from a sub-.500 team just two seasons ago to now defending home court as a top seed. But the Grizzlies are battle-tested and know a 1–1 split sends the series back to FedExForum with all the momentum shifting their way.
So here’s the next big question: Can OKC sustain this mature, balanced effort with the pressure ratcheting up? And will Memphis have enough firepower to counter if Morant remains out?
The series is only getting started, but Game 1 showed the Thunder are not here for the experience. They’re here to advancemaybe even make a deep run. And with the way their young core looked in the spotlight, don’t be surprised if this thunderstorm keeps rolling through the West.
Next Up:
Game 2: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Centerand it’s shaping up to be a must-watch.
