NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder Beat Memphis Grizzlies Again to Go 2-0 Up in the Series

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 118-99 on Tuesday night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Jalen Williams added 24 points, while Chet Holmgren impressed with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for the Thunder.

The win followed Sunday’s huge 131-80 victory in Game 1. Oklahoma City have now beaten Memphis in all six meetings this season, all by double digits.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the scoring for the Grizzlies with 26 points, and Ja Morant added 23. Memphis will now look to bounce back at home in Game 3 on Thursday.

The Thunder started strong with a 9-0 run, holding Memphis scoreless for over three minutes as the Grizzlies missed their first 10 shots.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who had struggled early in the series, found his rhythm in the second quarter. He hit two three-pointers within a minute to put Oklahoma City ahead 55-38.

The Thunder went into half-time with a 70-52 lead, having hit a team playoff record of 12 three-pointers in the first half.

Memphis fought back at the start of the third quarter and reduced the lead to single digits, but Oklahoma City still held a 90-79 lead going into the final period.

Cason Wallace gave the home fans something to cheer about with a brilliant one-handed dunk after faking out Zach Edey, putting the Thunder up 97-79.

Memphis couldn’t respond, going nearly four minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City sealed another convincing win.