Jalen Williams scored 26 points, Kenrich Williams added 21, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to stun the Memphis Grizzlies 117–116 on Friday night.
Both teams were short-handed, but Oklahoma City found enough offense late to extend its dominance over Memphis, winning its 16th straight game against the Grizzlies, a streak that includes a first-round playoff sweep last season.
Ajay Mitchell chipped in 23 points for the Thunder, while Aaron Wiggins added 16. Oklahoma City began its comeback in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 80–68 midway through the period during a 15–6 run. The Thunder shot 61% in the quarter and closed within 94–81 heading into the fourth.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 23 points and seven rebounds. GG Jackson scored 18 points, and Santi Aldama finished with 15 as the Grizzlies dropped six of their last seven games.
Oklahoma City completed the comeback in the final minutes. Kenrich Williams buried a 3-pointer with 1:07 left to give the Thunder a 115–114 lead. Memphis had a chance to answer, but Cedric Coward’s 14-foot jumper in the final second was blocked by Alex Caruso, sealing the dramatic victory.
The Thunder were without several key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein has missed multiple games with a soleus strain, while Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Cason Wallace all played in Wednesday’s overtime loss at Utah.
Memphis continued to deal with significant injuries of its own, missing primary starters Ja Morant (right calf contusion) and Zach Edey (left ankle stress) among six rotation players sidelined.
Up next:
The Thunder return home to host the Miami Heat on Sunday. The Grizzlies wrap up a four-game homestand against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
