For the second year in a row, the Oklahoma City Thunder made it a clean sweep in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 38 points and the top-seeded Thunder ousted the Memphis Grizzlies with a 117-115 Game 4 win Saturday afternoon at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Grizzlies were without star guard Ja Morant, who was out after colliding with Thunder guard Lu Dort and suffering a hip contusion on a fall Thursday in Game 3.
Scotty Pippen Jr. led the Grizzlies with a career-high 30 points, capping a stellar series for the son of Hall of Fame forward Scottie Pippen. However, Pippen Jr. exited the game with a minute left after a costly turnover and foul as Chet Holmgren gave OKC a four-point lead.
The Thunder will now await the winner of the Clippers-Nuggets series in the Western Conference semifinals. LA leads the first-round series 2-1 heading into Saturday night’s Game 4 in Inglewood, California.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies live score updates in Game 4 of NBA Playoffs
The Thunder still can’t hit a 3-pointer, but OKC repeatedly got to the free throw line (14-of-15) in the third quarter to stay afloat offensively.
OKC missed all six of its 3-point attempts in the third quarter and is now 4-of-29 from deep for the game. How exactly is the Thunder in this game, much less winning it? OKC has attempted 17 more shots than Memphis.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Aaron Wiggins combined to score 19 of the Thunder’s 28 points in the third quarter.
—Joe Mussatto, Columnist
The Thunder keeps landing punches, but the Grizzlies keep getting up.
After an Alex Caruso 3 pushed the Thunder lead to six points a few minutes into the second quarter, it felt like the air might be going out of the Grizzlies. But they responded with an 8-2 run to tie the game.
Through two quarters, there have already been 13 lead changes and seven ties.
How have the Grizzlies done it?
Makes from behind the arc and at the free-throw line
Memphis has made 7 of 15 from deep while Oklahoma City is only 4 of 23. At the free throw line, the Grizzlies have more attempts (14) than the Thunder has makes (six). What’s more, the Grizzlies have hit all 14 of those foul shots.
—Jenni Carlson, Columnist
The odds are stacked against Memphis.
The Grizzlies trail 3-0 in the first-round series, and no team in NBA history has ever come back from that deficit. They’re also without star guard Ja Morant, who’s dealing with a left hip contusion.
And yet Memphis held its own in the first quarter. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the way as the new lead ball handler, recording 11 points, and Santi Aldama added six points in his first start of the series.
Still, OKC claimed a 34-31 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks in large part to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He racked up 16 points on 7-for-7 shooting from the field.
—Justin Martinez, Staff writer
The *type* of 3s Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are noticeably different than a year ago. Chet got blocked by Edey on that one 3 (heady play) but those are the windows they’ll need to be comfortable with as this thing continues. He doesn’t think about that shot a year ago.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
With Memphis star Ja Morant officially out for Saturday’s Game 4, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault was asked what the Grizzlies might look like without the explosive guard.
Daigneault, turning to page one in the coach’s book of cliches, opted to give the Grizzlies credit, acknowledging its familiarity with life without Morant.
“Memphis has played better in every game this series,” Daigneault said. “… Obviously Morant being out takes out a point of attack player for them, but they’ve played a lot of minutes this year with (Desmond) Bane and (Jaren) Jackson out there are comfortable doing so. It’s been good lineups for them.
“Bane with the off ball stuff, he finds stuff in transition. Jackson, perimeter, post, all that stuff. They know what they’re going to with that. It obviously changes them when they’re missing a player of Morant’s gravity, but they also have a comfort in that he’s missed time this year. He doesn’t play 48 minutes a game.”
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will miss Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday with a hip injury, according to an ESPN report.
The Grizzlies listed Morant as doubtful on the NBA injury report Friday night.
—Joel Lorenzi, Staff writer
- Date: Saturday, April 26
- Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
- Where: FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee
The OKC vs Memphis game starts at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday from FedExForum in Memphis.
What channel is Thunder vs Grizzlies on today in NBA Playoffs?
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network and TNT
- How to watch online: Sling TV (free trial) and Max
- Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM
The OKC vs Memphis game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and TNT. It can be streamed on Sling TV and Max.
All times are Central Time (CT)
- Game 1: OKC 131, Memphis 80
- Game 2: OKC 118, Memphis 99
- Game 3: OKC 114, Memphis 108
- Game 4: OKC at Memphis, 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26 (TNT/FDSN)
- Game 5 (If necessary): Memphis at OKC, 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 28 (TNT/FDSN)
- Game 6 (If necessary): OKC at Memphis, TBD Thursday, May 1 (TBD)
- Game 7 (If necessary): Memphis at OKC, TBD Saturday, May 3 (TBD)
Thunder vs. Grizzlies betting odds
Odds via BetMGM as of Friday, April 25
Odds: Thunder by 14.5
Over/under: 222.5
Moneyline: OKC -1100 | Memphis +700
Thunder vs. Grizzlies injury updates
Thunder: Ousmane Dieng (left calf strain) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out.
Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke (right knee PCL sprain) is out. Luke Kennard (right Achilles soreness) is questionable. Ja Morant (hip contusion) is doubtful. Jaylen Wells (right wrist fracture, facial laceration and concussion protocol) is out.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC 115, Memphis 92Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Memphis was outscored 74-41 after Morant exited Game 3 with 3:15 left until halftime. The Grizzlies weren’t able to get out in transition as much without their speedy star, and they struggled in the half-court setting. Now Morant is out for Game 4, and it’s hard to envision Memphis winning while he’s sidelined. I’m picking OKC to complete the sweep.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies highlights in Game 4 of NBA Playoffs
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