The OKC Thunder completed the second-largest comeback win in NBA playoff history Thursday.
OKC secured a 114-108 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 3 of the first-round NBA playoff matchup. It erased a 29-point deficit to claim a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
Scotty Pippen Jr. and Memphis set the tone early on
No team has ever come back from down 3-0 in an NBA playoff series.
Everyone in the league knows that fact. And that includes Memphis, which began Game 3 like a team that was playing for its season.
The Grizzlies outscored the Thunder 40-29 in the first quarter, and they never trailed. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the way with 14 points on 4-for-4 shooting from deep.
The floodgates finally opened for Memphis’ high-scoring offense, which had been contained all series by OKC. It racked up 40 points in the first quarter, surpassing its combined first-quarter points in Game 1 and Game 2 (37).
Grizzlies finally played fast-paced brand of basketball in first half
By the time Shai Gilgeous-Alexander realized what happened, it was too late.
The OKC star got his pockets picked by Pippen on a drive late in the second quarter. And when he spun around to get back on defense, Ja Morant was already dribbling near halfcourt.
Chet Holmgren gave chase, but there wasn’t much anyone could do at that point. Morant cruised to the rim for a two-handed slam.
OKC dominated the first two games of the series by controlling the pace, but Memphis broke free in the first half to claim a 77-51 lead. It lead by as many as 29 points.
Ja Morant exits game with hip contusion
Memphis fans at FedExForum had plenty to cheer for throughout the night, but everyone went quiet late in the second quarter.
Morant went up for a layup with 3:15 left until halftime and was clipped in the air by Lu Dort, who slipped, which caused him to crash onto the unforgiving floor. He exited the game with a hip contusion and did not return.
Morant was playing his best basketball of the series prior to the injury. He recorded 15 points and five assists in only 16 minutes of action.
Memphis held a 67-40 lead at the time of Morant’s departure. It got outscored 74-41 the rest of the way.
Chet Holmgren and OKC claimed momentum in the third quarter
Holmgren gave a fist pump as he drained a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter.
The brief display of emotion said it all. Shots were finally falling.
After it couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half, OKC came alive in the third quarter. It outscored Memphis 36-18, and Holmgren sparked the comeback by erupting for 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting from deep.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies stalled on offense without their engine. The pace of play slowed down in the absence of Morant, and Memphis struggled to generate clean looks.
The Grizzlies were up by 26 points at halftime. They only led by eight points at the end of the third quarter.
OKC completed the second-largest comeback in playoff history
OKC erased a 29-point deficit to win Game 3.
That tied for the second-largest comeback victory in NBA playoff history. The record is held by the Los Angeles Clippers, who came back from a 31-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors on April 15, 2019.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 31 points and eight assists. Jalen Williams and Holmgren scored 26 points and 24 points, respectively.
OKC will look to complete the sweep in Game 4 at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Memphis.
