The 2025 NBA playoffs will feature the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, facing the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies, in the first round of a best-of-seven series.
The Thunder, led by MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is striving for the franchise’s first championship. The team had a remarkable season, breaking the NBA record for point differential at +12.9 points per game. This accomplishment is particularly notable given that the Thunder was without one of its top players, forward Chet Holmgren, who is now healthy as OKC enters the playoffs.
The Grizzlies’ journey to the playoffs included a 121-116 defeat by the Golden State Warriors in the first game of the Play-In Tournament. However, to clinch the No. 8 seed, the Grizzlies bounced back and defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 to reach the playoffs.
Follow USA TODAY Sports for all of the results, highlights and analysis from Grizzlies vs. Thunder Game 1 in their NBA playoff series:
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Grizzlies vs. Thunder score
The Grizzlies called timeout with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter.
Thunder dominate first half on both ends
Oklahoma City showed no ill effects of a layoff between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. The Thunder looked every bit like the top-seeded team in the West by thoroughly dominating the first half, leading the Grizzlies 68-36.
Running the offense to perfection, OKC shot 53.2% from the field, with many of their baskets coming on wide open shots or as a result of fast break opportunities.
The offense has been so proficient, the Thunder haven’t even needed much from star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has just nine points at the break. Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams lead the way with 14 points.
Oklahoma City has also done a tremendous job on defense.
Grizzlies were third in the NBA in scoring average during the regular season but the Thunder have clamped down on Ja Morant and Co., holding them to 33% shooting from the field and just 2-for-18 (11%) from 3-point range.
Ja Morant stats today
After one half of play, here’s how the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant has done:
- Points: 11
- Rebounds: 3
- Assists: 1
- FG: 4-11
- 3PT: 1-5
- FT: 2-2
- Fouls: 1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stats today
After one half, here’s how the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has done:
- Points: 9
- Rebounds: 1
- Assists: 4
- FG: 2-10
- 3PT: 1-6
- FT: 4-5
- Fouls: 2
Starting lineups for Grizzlies vs. Thunder
- G Ja Morant
- G Scotty Pippen Jr.
- F Desmond Bane
- F Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C Zach Edey
- G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- G Lu Dort
- F Jalen Williams
- F Chet Holmgren
- C Isaiah Hartenstein
What time is Grizzlies vs. Thunder?
Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies is at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 20.
Watch Grizzlies vs. Thunder with a free trial of Fubo
How to watch Grizzlies vs. Thunder: Time, TV, streaming info
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Fubo, SlingTV
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs odds
The Thunder are favored to defeat the Grizzlies in the NBA playoffs first round, per BetMGM odds (as of Sunday, April 20):
- Series winner: Thunder (-2000), Grizzlies (+1000)
- Game 1 spread: Thunder (-13.5)
- Game 1 Moneyline: Thunder (-1000); Grizzlies (+625)
- Game 1 Over/Under: 231.5
Grizzlies vs. Thunder: NBA playoffs picks and predictions
USA TODAY: The Thunder rolls
Here are USA TODAY staff picks for the Grizzlies vs. Thunder series:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in 5
- Heather Tucker: Thunder in 5
- James Williams: Thunder in 5
- Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in 5
NBA.com: Thunder in four
John Schuhmann writes: “OKC won 68 games this season and is poised to not only win four more, but four straight. This series seems lopsided in the Thunder’s favor, for so many obvious reasons — highly-rated both offensively and defensively, size and depth, and the mastery of Shai. Memphis hasn’t been a threat since late January, losing nine of 14 down the stretch. The Grizzlies bring three capable scorers in Ja, Jackson and Bane, and Edey’s tough on the glass. That still might not be enough to win a game, let alone an entire series against a team that never lost more than two straight all season. Expect big nights from Shai and some lockdown D from Dort.”
Sports Illustrated: Thunder in five
Peter Dewey writes: “The Thunder dominated this matchup during the regular season for a reason – Memphis’ half-court offense is too shaky to rely on. Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace and others can all be thrown at Morant to slow him down, and OKC has by far the best player in this series in SGA. All season long, the Thunder have dominated at home, and they also have been far and away the best defensive rated team in the league.”
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