Thunder crush Grizzlies by 51 points in historic playoff loss
- Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in a playoff game.
- The Thunder maintained an impressive shooting percentage and received significant contributions from bench players.
- The Grizzlies were heavily criticized for their poor performance in the game.
In a commanding performance on April 20, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. This shocking victory resulted in the fifth-largest margin of victory in NBA postseason history, falling just seven points short of the record loss. The Thunder, who finished the regular season with an impressive 68-14 record, showcased their offensive prowess by shooting 50.5% from the field, with Aaron Wiggins leading all scorers with 21 points off the bench. Medically, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's star and scoring champion, had a subpar game by his standards, yet his team still triumphed by a wide margin. Memphis struggled throughout the contest, hitting only 34.4% of their shots and seeing their stars, such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., perform poorly, which hindered their chances of making the game competitive. The Grizzlies managed to hold a 7-4 lead early, but quickly fell behind as Oklahoma City outscored them 99-60 in the remaining three quarters. This game not only marked the Thunder's strong playoff showing but also highlighted the Grizzlies' challenges under interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who faced pressure in his first playoff game coaching the team. Overall, the Thunder's victory was seen as a combination of superior performance, effective teamwork, and sustained pressure against a struggling Grizzlies roster. Their commanding performance set a high standard for the remainder of the series and emphasized their legitimacy as top contenders in the playoffs.