Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder Match Player Stats – A Complete Breakdown
Teams, Lineup & Game Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Date | April 9, 2025 |
| Venue | FedExForum, Memphis, TN |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM CT |
| Attendance | 17,894 |
| Game Duration | 2 hours 28 minutes |
| Series Status | Tied 1-1 (season series) |
| Officials | James Capers, Natalie Sago, Brent Haskill |
| Final Score | Memphis Grizzlies 131 – Oklahoma City Thunder 119 |
A playoff‑level roar erupted when Memphis completed the 24‑point comeback with 4:11 left.
Key Players & Starting Lineups
| Team | Key Hitters/Scorers | Key Pitchers/Defenders |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies | Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. | Jaren Jackson Jr. (blocks), Marcus Smart (steals) |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren | Chet Holmgren (rim protection), Luguentz Dort (perimeter) |
Quarter‑by‑Quarter Scoring Breakdown
| Period | Memphis Pts | OKC Pts | Cum. Memphis | Cum. OKC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 24 | 38 | 24 | 38 |
| 2nd | 28 | 31 | 52 | 69 |
| 3rd | 45 | 26 | 97 | 95 |
| 4th | 34 | 24 | 131 | 119 |
| Final | 131 | 119 | 131 | 119 |
Memphis outscored OKC 79–50 in the second half, the Thunder’s worst half‑court defensive rating of the season.
The 3rd Period: 41 Runs That Rewrote History
The third quarter turned into a 12‑minute clinic. Down 69–52 at halftime, Ja Morant ignited a 21‑2 run in under four minutes. The Grizzlies shot 71% from the field in the period, while OKC committed 7 turnovers.
| Play | Scoring Event | Score MEM | Score OKC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morant steal + windmill dunk | Ja Morant | 54 | 71 |
| Bane corner three (Smart assist) | Desmond Bane | 57 | 71 |
| Jackson Jr. block + outlet to Morant | Ja Morant | 59 | 71 |
| Holmgren turnover, Aldama transition layup | Santi Aldama | 61 | 71 |
| Morant stepback three | Ja Morant | 64 | 71 |
| Gilgeous-Alexander and-one | SGA | 66 | 74 |
Chet Holmgren collapsed defensively, allowing 5 of 6 shots at the rim during Memphis’ run. OKC’s Mark Daigneault called two timeouts, neither stopped the bleeding.
Standout Performances & Player Highlights
| Player | Team | Stats (MIN / PTS / REB / AST / STL / BLK / FG% / 3P%) |
|---|---|---|
| Ja Morant | MEM | 36 / 38 / 6 / 9 / 3 / 1 / 64% / 50% |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | MEM | 34 / 27 / 8 / 2 / 1 / 8 / 58% / – |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC | 38 / 42 / 4 / 5 / 2 / 0 / 55% / – |
| Jalen Williams | OKC | 35 / 22 / 5 / 4 / 1 / 1 / 48% / – |
Jaren Jackson Jr. became the first player since Anthony Davis (2020) to record 8 blocks and 25+ points in a game. His rim protection flipped 14 potential OKC points into fast‑break opportunities.
Box Scores: Both Teams at a Glance
Memphis Grizzlies – Full Scoring Box Score
| Hitter | Pos | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ja Morant | PG | 36 | 38 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 14-22 | 3-6 | 7-8 |
| Desmond Bane | SG | 34 | 24 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9-17 | 5-9 | 1-1 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | C | 34 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 10-17 | 2-4 | 5-6 |
| Santi Aldama | PF | 28 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6-9 | 2-3 | 1-2 |
| Marcus Smart | SG | 30 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4-8 | 2-5 | 2-2 |
Oklahoma City Thunder – Full Scoring Box Score
| Hitter | Pos | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | PG | 38 | 42 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 16-29 | 3-8 | 7-7 |
| Jalen Williams | SG | 35 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9-19 | 2-6 | 2-2 |
| Chet Holmgren | C | 32 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5-12 | 1-4 | 3-4 |
| Luguentz Dort | SF | 30 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4-9 | 3-7 | 0-0 |
| Josh Giddey | PG | 26 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6-11 | 1-3 | 2-2 |
Memphis outscored OKC in the paint 68–44 and recorded 12 blocks to OKC’s 4.
Defensive Matchup Breakdown
Memphis Grizzlies Defense
| Player | MIN | STL | BLK | Deflections | Pts Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 34 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| Marcus Smart | 30 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
| Ja Morant | 36 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 18 |
Oklahoma City Thunder Defense
| Player | MIN | STL | BLK | Deflections | Pts Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chet Holmgren | 32 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 22 |
| Luguentz Dort | 30 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 19 |
| Jalen Williams | 35 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 24 |
Winning pitcher: Ja Morant (plus‑24 plus/minus). Losing pitcher: Chet Holmgren (minus‑18 plus/minus).
Key Statistics Comparison Table
| Statistic | Memphis Grizzlies | OKC Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Final Pts | 131 | 119 |
| Field Goals Made | 51 | 44 |
| Rebounds | 47 | 41 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 17 |
| 3PM | 16 | 12 |
| Points in Paint | 68 | 44 |
| Fouls | 18 | 20 |
| Free Throws | 19-22 | 19-21 |
| Fast Break Pts | 31 | 12 |
| Blocks | 12 | 4 |
Quotes & Reactions
Ja Morant: “We weren’t panicking down 24. That’s not who we are. I told JJJ ‘just erase everything at the rim’ and he did exactly that.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “We took our foot off the gas. That’s on me as a leader. You can’t relax against Memphis.”
Jaren Jackson Jr.: “Eight blocks sounds cool, but it’s just positioning. They kept attacking me and I kept meeting them.”
Mark Daigneault (OKC coach): “The third quarter was a masterclass in defensive breakdowns. We stopped communicating.”
Taylor Jenkins (MEM coach): “This Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder match player stats show what defense can do. 17 turnovers into 31 fast‑break points – that’s the game.”
Match Analysis: What Went Right & Wrong
Memphis Grizzlies
| Category | Analysis |
|---|---|
| What Went Right | Full-court press after halftime forced 10 OKC turnovers. Transition offense generated 31 fast-break points. |
| What Went Wrong | First-half perimeter defense allowed 7 of 12 three-pointers. Bench scoring lagged until 4th quarter. |
| Offensive Strength | Morant’s rim pressure (18 points in paint) collapsed OKC’s defense for open corner threes. |
| Defensive Strength | Jackson Jr. single-handedly altered 14 shots in the second half. |
| Strategy | “Blitz SGA, rotate late to Holmgren” – worked as Holmgren shot 1-4 from three after halftime. |
Oklahoma City Thunder
| Category | Analysis |
|---|---|
| What Went Right | First-half ball movement (18 assists on 22 made field goals). SGA’s mid-range efficiency (9-13). |
| What Went Wrong | Third-quarter turnovers (7) and transition defense (allowed 18 points in 5 minutes). |
| Offensive Strength | Gilgeous-Alexander’s isolation scoring (42 points on 29 shots). |
| Defensive Strength | Dort held Bane to 2-6 when guarded directly. |
| Strategy | “Ice Morant’s left hand” – failed after halftime; Morant went 8-9 driving right. |
Controversial moment: With 5:12 left in the third, Luguentz Dort was assessed a flagrant‑1 foul on Morant after a replay review. The three free throws and possession sparked Memphis’ 21‑2 run. OKC fans argued the call should have been a common foul.
Series / Season Timeline
| Game | Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Nov 19, 2024 | Oklahoma City | 118–112 |
| Game 2 | Jan 23, 2025 | Memphis | 125–120 |
| Game 3 | Mar 5, 2025 | Oklahoma City | 130–123 |
| Game 4 | Apr 9, 2025 | Memphis | 131–119 |
The Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder match player stats from this April 9 game now serve as the blueprint for how Memphis plans to attack the Thunder in a potential playoff series: force turnovers, run relentlessly, and protect the rim at all costs.
Where to Watch
- USA: ESPN (national), Bally Sports Southeast (Memphis market), Bally Sports Oklahoma (OKC market)
- Canada: TSN5
- International: NBA League Pass (global)
- Streaming: YouTube TV (ESPN simulcast), Fubo (Bally regional)
Conclusion
The Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder match player stats tell a story of two halves: OKC’s surgical first‑half offense (69 points, 55% shooting) vs. Memphis’ historic second‑half defense (forced 12 turnovers, 12 blocks). Ja Morant’s 38 points and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 8 blocks represent one of the most dominant two‑way performances in franchise history. The 24‑point comeback ties for the third‑largest in the NBA this season. If these teams meet in the Western Conference Semifinals, expect every possession to revisit this night’s lesson: no lead is safe against Memphis’ pressure.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder game?
A: The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 131–119 on April 9, 2025.
Q: Who led all scorers in the Memphis Grizzlies vs OKC Thunder match player stats?
A: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 points for OKC, while Ja Morant led Memphis with 38 points.
Q: How many blocks did Jaren Jackson Jr. record?
A: Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded 8 blocks, tying a Grizzlies franchise single‑game record.
Q: What was the largest lead by either team?
A: Oklahoma City led by 24 points (69–45) with 3:44 left in the second quarter.
Q: How many turnovers did the Thunder commit in the third quarter?
A: Oklahoma City committed 7 turnovers in the third quarter alone, leading to 18 fast‑break points for Memphis.
Q: Did Ja Morant play the full game?
A: Ja Morant played 36 minutes, missing only 12 total minutes (4 in the 2nd, 4 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th).