The Oklahoma City Thunder rolled past the Memphis Grizzlies 118-99 on Tuesday, April 22, to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series, fueled by a 27-point effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a dominant team performance on both ends of the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who struggled early in the series, found his rhythm in the second quarter and finished with 27 points despite shooting just 10-of-29. Jalen Williams added 24 points, while Chet Holmgren posted a double-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks as the top-seeded Thunder controlled the game from start to finish.
Oklahoma City jumped out to a 9-0 lead and held Memphis scoreless for the first 3.5 minutes, with the Grizzlies missing their first 10 shots. The Thunder never trailed and led 32-17 after the first quarter, building a 70-52 advantage by halftime behind a franchise playoff-record 12 first-half threes.
Memphis cut the deficit to single digits early in the third, but Oklahoma City responded and took a 90-79 lead into the fourth. Cason Wallace’s one-handed baseline dunk over Zach Edey was a highlight-reel moment that helped swing momentum back in OKC’s favor.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 26 points, while Ja Morant added 23, but the Grizzlies struggled again offensively — failing to score 100 points for the second straight game. Oklahoma City’s defense held Memphis scoreless for nearly four minutes to open the fourth quarter, sealing the win.
The Thunder have now beaten the Grizzlies six straight times this season, all by double digits.
Game 3 is set for Thursday, April 24, in Memphis as the Thunder look to push the series to 3-0.
