Grizzlies at Thunder Game 1 preview: playoff schedule, last meeting, history, injury report, where to watch, odds

The real season begins for the Thunder after a historic regular season. Oklahoma City finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA, combined with one of the best defenses.

Memphis has been through the ringer this season. Injuries, suspensions, and a midseason coaching change hit hard, and now Memphis limps into the playoffs as the 8-seed, battling just to be here. Fighting for their playoff lives last night, Ja Morant scored 22 points and dished out nine assists, overcoming a sprained ankle to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 120-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, securing the No. 8 seed. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points, and Desmond Bane contributed 22 as Memphis held off several Dallas rallies.

OKC swept the regular season series, all four games, by nearly 19 points per and has won nine straight head-to-head. The Thunder held them to just 41% shooting and 106 points per game in their meetings this season.

All eyes will be on the injury situation with Ja Morant. Morant sprained his ankle in the loss to the Warriors earlier in the week. How will that continue to impact his presence on the floor? Injuries have played a significant role in the recent history of the Grizzlies since drafting Morant in 2019.

Oklahoma City Thunder

1. Points per Game: 119.6 (4th in NBA)
2. Opponent Points per Game: 106.9 (2nd)
3. Offensive Rating: 119.6 (4th)
4. Defensive Rating: 106.9 (1st)
5. Net Rating: +12.7 (1st)
6. Field Goal Percentage: 48.2% (6th)
7. Three-Point Percentage: 37.4% (6th)
8. Rebounds per Game: 44.8 (11th)

Memphis Grizzlies

1. Points per Game: 105.8 (30th in NBA)
2. Opponent Points per Game: 112.8 (12th)
3. Offensive Rating: 107.2 (30th)
4. Defensive Rating: 114.3 (12th)
5. Net Rating: -7.1 (26th)
6. Field Goal Percentage: 44.4% (25th)
7. Three-Point Percentage: 34.3% (22nd)
8. Rebounds per Game: 44.1 (13th)

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Full Injury Report:

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Last Matchup

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 37 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 125-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, marking their eighth straight win and setting a new franchise record with their 61st win of the season.

Jalen Williams made a strong return after missing seven games with a hip injury, contributing 20 points. Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 27 points, while Scotty Pippen Jr. filled the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals. Memphis was once again without Ja Morant, who missed his sixth straight game due to a strained hamstring.

The Thunder took a slim 63-59 lead into halftime, then came out of the locker room on fire—opening the third quarter with an 8-0 run that prompted a quick Memphis timeout. Oklahoma City added another bucket before the Grizzlies finally got on the board in the second half.

Memphis made a push late in the third, trimming the Thunder’s lead to 91-89 heading into the fourth quarter. But Oklahoma City slammed the door shut in the final frame. Cason Wallace drilled a three-pointer to extend the lead to 112-99, and Hartenstein capped a 15-0 run with a pair of free throws to seal the win.

Thunder vs. Grizzlies – Playoff History

1. 2011 Western Conference Semifinals

1. Series result: Thunder won 4–3
2. A gritty, physical series that went the distance. Game 4 went to triple overtime, and Game 7 saw OKC pull away late at home.
3. Key players: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook (OKC) / Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol (MEM)

2. 2013 Western Conference First Round

1. Series result: Grizzlies won 4–1
2. Russell Westbrook tore his meniscus in the first round, and OKC couldn’t keep up without him. Memphis locked down defensively and won four straight after dropping Game 1.
3. Key players: Durant (OKC) / Mike Conley, Gasol, Randolph (MEM)

3. 2014 Western Conference First Round

1. Series result: Thunder won 4–3
2. Every game in the series was decided by single digits; four of the seven games went to overtime.
3. Durant was named MVP that season and delivered clutch performances late.
4. Game 7 note: Memphis was without Zach Randolph (suspension) and Mike Conley (injury), and OKC rolled.

This 2025 series marks the first time these teams have faced off in the postseason in over a decade, and it’s their fourth overall playoff meeting. OKC leads the all-time series 2–1.

Looking Ahead

Western Conference First Round – Thunder vs. Grizzlies

1. Game 1: Sunday, April 20 – at Paycom Center – 12:00 PM (ABC)
2. Game 2: Tuesday, April 22 – at Paycom Center – 6:30 PM (TNT / FanDuel Sports Network)
3. Game 3: Thursday, April 24 – at FedExForum – 8:30 PM (TNT / FanDuel Sports Network)
4. Game 4: Saturday, April 26 – at FedExForum – 2:30 PM (TNT / FanDuel Sports Network)
5. Game 5: Monday, April 28 – at Paycom Center – Time/TV TBD (if necessary)
6. Game 6: Thursday, May 1 – at FedExForum – Time/TV TBD (if necessary)
7. Game 7: Saturday, May 3 – at Paycom Center – Time/TV TBD (if necessary)

Game Info

April 20, 2025, 12:00

Paycom Center, OKC

Watch: ABC

Odds

The Thunder are listed as 13-point favorites via FanDuel