The Oklahoma City Thunder turned Paycom Center into a no-fly zone for the Memphis Grizzlies on April 22, 2025, cruising to a 118–99 victory and a 2–0 series lead. If Game 1 was a warning shot, Game 2 was a full-blown thunderstorm—and Memphis forgot their umbrellas.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 27 points, proving that his MVP campaign isn’t just smoke and mirrors. Jalen Williams added 24 points, while Chet Holmgren played like a human cheat code, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. At one point, Holmgren swatted a shot so hard it nearly entered orbit.
The Grizzlies tried to claw back, narrowing a 23-point deficit to just eight in the third quarter. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant combined for 49 points, but their efforts were akin to using a water pistol to put out a wildfire. The Thunder responded with a 14–4 run, effectively saying, “Nice try, but no.”
Memphis’s defense was more porous than a sponge in a rainstorm, allowing OKC to score 25 points off 15 turnovers. The Thunder’s fast-break dominance continued, outscoring the Grizzlies 48–8 in transition over the first two games—a stat that should come with a parental advisory.
As the series shifts to Memphis for Game 3, the Grizzlies face an uphill battle steeper than a mountain goat’s morning jog. They’ll need more than just home-court advantage; perhaps a séance to summon the spirit of grit and grind.