MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WE)— April 26, 2025 — The Oklahoma City Thunder officially became the first team to advance to the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, completing a hard-fought sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies with a thrilling 117–115 victory at FedExForum on Saturday night.
Behind a brilliant 38-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder showed exactly why they finished the regular season with an NBA-best 68-14 record. But it wasn’t easy — far from it.
Oklahoma City had to fend off a spirited Grizzlies squad missing their injured star Ja Morant but fueled by pride, urgency, and an emotional home crowd.
Thunder Survive Wild Finish to Secure Sweep
Game 4 was a battle from start to finish. Neither team led by double digits until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies, fighting to extend their season, pushed the Thunder to the brink despite missing several key players.
Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a career performance, tying his best mark with 30 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama also chipped in 23 points each.
But ultimately, it was Oklahoma City’s depth, resilience, and composure that carried the night.
After entering the fourth quarter up 88–85 — despite shooting a miserable 4-for-29 from three-point range — the Thunder finally found some separation.
A clutch three-pointer by Jalen Williams with 5:41 remaining pushed Oklahoma City’s lead to 102–92, the first double-digit advantage for either side.
Memphis, to its credit, refused to fold. Bane’s deep three with 7.1 seconds remaining cut the lead to just two, 116–114. Following a split trip to the free-throw line by Williams, the Thunder wisely fouled Bane intentionally to prevent a game-tying three-point attempt.
Bane made the first free throw but missed the second on purpose. In the frantic scramble, Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren secured the rebound, effectively ending the Grizzlies’ season.
Gilgeous-Alexander Leads the Way
In a postseason where stars shine the brightest, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a masterpiece when it mattered most.
The 25-year-old All-NBA guard was unstoppable all night, slicing through Memphis defenders, hitting tough mid-range jumpers, and living at the free-throw line.
“Shai was incredible — that’s what stars do in closeout games,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said afterward. “He set the tone early, stayed aggressive, and made sure we didn’t have to go back to Oklahoma City for Game 5.”
Gilgeous-Alexander shot an efficient 13-for-23 from the field and 11-for-13 at the line, while also adding six assists and five rebounds.
It was a fitting encore to an MVP-caliber regular season in which he averaged 30.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s premier two-way players.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
The Thunder’s supporting cast made key contributions as well.
- Jalen Williams, the versatile second-year forward, scored 23 points and dished out five assists.
- Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Isaiah Joe each scored 11 points, with Hartenstein adding a game-high 12 rebounds.
- Holmgren, despite a cold shooting night, anchored the paint with timely shot contests and hustle plays.
“Everyone contributed,” Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized. “That’s been our identity all year — depth, unselfishness, and competitiveness.”
The Thunder’s bench outscored Memphis’s reserves 34–28, a critical margin in such a tightly contested game.
Heartbreak for Short-Handed Grizzlies
For the Memphis Grizzlies, the sweep was a bitter ending to a tumultuous season.
Already without Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams due to long-term injuries, Memphis lost Ja Morant to a left hip contusion in Game 3, dramatically reducing their chances.
Morant had suffered a hard fall late in the second quarter of Game 3, and despite initial optimism, the team ruled him out for Game 4 hours before tipoff.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins praised his team’s effort.
“I’m proud of the fight our guys showed,” Jenkins said. “Down Ja, down so many pieces, and still battling against the No. 1 seed to the final second — that’s who we are.”
Pippen Jr., elevated into a leading role, impressed with his poise and fearlessness.
Santi Aldama and Desmond Bane provided steady scoring, while Ziaire Williams and GG Jackson II contributed key minutes.
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Thunder Eye Next Challenge
With the win, Oklahoma City now turns its attention to the Western Conference semifinals, where it will face the winner of the Denver Nuggets–LA Clippers series.
Denver, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, currently holds a 2–1 series lead after three games, but the Clippers — powered by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George — remain dangerous.
Coach Mark Daigneault said the Thunder will use the upcoming break to rest and recalibrate.
“We have a lot to improve, believe it or not,” Daigneault said. “This is a young team. Every playoff minute is a new experience. We’ll study the film, sharpen the edges, and be ready.”
A Breakthrough Season for Oklahoma City
Regardless of what happens next, this season already represents a major breakthrough for the Thunder franchise.
After several years of rebuilding following the departure of Russell Westbrook and Paul George in 2019, Oklahoma City’s front office — led by general manager Sam Presti — has built one of the league’s deepest, most exciting young rosters.
Anchored by stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, bolstered by elite role players like Isaiah Joe and Lu Dort, and balanced with the towering defensive presence of Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City has ascended faster than most analysts predicted.
With Josh Giddey also playing a significant role despite ups and downs, the Thunder’s blend of youth, athleticism, and savvy coaching has the entire NBA on notice.
What’s Next for the Grizzlies?
Meanwhile, the offseason looms for Memphis.
The top priorities for GM Zach Kleiman and the Grizzlies front office will be:
- Health: Getting Ja Morant, Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke back to full strength.
- Depth: Addressing the bench, which was stretched thin this year.
- Shooting: Adding consistent perimeter shooting to complement Morant’s playmaking.
The Grizzlies’ core — Morant, Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. — remains strong. Despite the early exit, Memphis remains a team built for long-term success in the Western Conference.
“We’re disappointed but not discouraged,” Jenkins said. “This experience, tough as it is, will make us better.”
Final Stats from Game 4
| Category | Thunder | Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 47.8% | 45.2% |
| 3-Point % | 20.5% (8-39) | 32.4% (11-34) |
| Free Throws | 29-34 | 22-27 |
| Rebounds | 49 | 44 |
| Assists | 25 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 14 |
The Bottom Line
The Oklahoma City Thunder showed on Saturday night why they are a legitimate threat to win the Western Conference — and perhaps more.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander starred, it was the Thunder’s collective resolve that truly shined. This young group, once labeled as a rebuilding project, is now four wins away from the conference finals.
The road only gets tougher from here. But if Game 4 showed anything, it’s that Oklahoma City is ready for the challenge.
