OKC Thunder vs Grizzlies Game 2 preview: How to watch, history, injury report, last meeting, odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just win Game 1 they made history. Their 131-80 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies represents the largest margin of victory in an NBA playoff Game 1 in history. It also stands as the most lopsided win in Thunder playoff history and the most significant loss in Grizzlies’ postseason history.

Oklahoma City's defense was suffocating throughout the game, forcing 24 turnovers and limiting Memphis to just 34.4% shooting from the field and 17.6% from three-point range. The Thunder's relentless pressure was on full display, with players like Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace all contributing to a shutdown effort. The Grizzlies had no answer for Oklahoma City’s all-around defensive dominance.

With Game 2 looming, Mark Daigneault knows the Grizzlies will respond with more speed, more effort, and more edge.

“We’ve got to get our heads wrapped around that,” he said. “They’ll be better. And we’ve got to rise to that level.”

In OKC, the tone is clear: stay humble, stay ready, and stay the course.

“We executed our game plan,” Aaron Wiggins said. “But we know Game 2 is going to come with a different fire. They're not going to take that loss lightly.”

THUNDER COVERAGE ⚡

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🏀Thunder beat Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1, 5th-biggest margin of victory in NBA postseason history

No Love for Dort?

The three finalists for the 2024-25 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award: Dyson Daniels, Draymond Green, and Evan Mobley. Lou Dort misses out again.

Aaron Wiggins also took a moment to highlight Lu Dort’s consistent defensive excellence, calling it “insane” that Dort still isn’t getting top-tier recognition for his efforts. “He guards the best players every night—guards, wings, even forwards. He’s elite.”

Isaiah Hartenstein on Lu Dort not making the cut for Defensive Player of the Year finalists: “I might need to get a podcast with Lu. I’ve watched him all year. He’s been great. I mean, the finalists are great defenders, but just watching Lou do what he does on a nightly basis—I think that’s what people don’t see and what the stats don’t show. He’s been great all year. To me, he’s the Defensive Player of the Year."

Full Injury Report:

Dieng, Ousmane Out Injury/Illness - Left Calf; Strain Topic,

Nikola Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; Surgery

Memphis

Clarke, Brandon Out Injury/Illness - Right Knee; PCL Sprain

Wells, Jaylen Out Injury/Illness - Right Wrist; Fracture/Facial Laceration/Concussion Protocol

Last Matchup

The Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Sunday, marking the fifth-largest blowout in NBA postseason history and the biggest Game 1 win ever.

The Thunder’s 51-point victory was just shy of the all-time playoff record. Aaron Wiggins led with 21 points, Jalen Williams added 20, and Chet Holmgren had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's scoring leader, contributed just 15, but the Thunder still shot 50.5% from the field.

“We played to our identity,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, highlighting the team’s focus on consistency and preparation since last year’s playoff exit.

The Thunder dominated early, using a 20-0 second-quarter run to take a 55-22 lead and a 35-point halftime advantage. Memphis struggled offensively—Ja Morant had 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting, and Jaren Jackson Jr. managed only four points on 2-of-13. The Grizzlies shot just 34.4% overall.

This was Memphis’ first playoff game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who remained optimistic: “Win by one or 50, it’s still one game. We’ll learn and bounce back.”

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

Game Info

April 22, 2025, 6:30

Paycom Center, OKC

Watch: TNT, FanDuel Oklahoma

Odds

The Thunder are listed as 14.5-point favorites via FanDuel