Oklahoma City – The Thunder delivered a commanding performance on Friday night in the NBA Cup, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 128‑97 in front of a lively home crowd. Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell posted a career‑high 35 points, while team leader Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander added 28.
Offensive firepower and efficient shooting
The Thunder shot an impressive 69% from the field and connected on 9 of 17 three‑point attempts, translating into a dominant 55% overall shooting percentage. By the end of the third quarter, Oklahoma City was converting just under 60% of its shots, and half of its 26 three‑point attempts had already found the net.
Jared McCain contributed 21 points, and the Thunder forced 18 turnovers that turned into 30 fast‑break points. Their aggressive defense helped build a 25‑point lead by the end of the first half and a 32‑point cushion after a 12‑0 run early in the third quarter.
Grizzlies struggle from beyond the arc
Memphis entered the game as the league’s leader in three‑point percentage, but the Grizzlies sputtered, making only five of 26 attempts in the first half and finishing with a 22% three‑point conversion rate. Ty Jerome led the Grizzlies with 21 points, and Zach Edey added 14, but the team could not keep pace with Oklahoma City’s relentless scoring.
Rookie Cameron Boozer was limited to eight points, though he grabbed 12 rebounds, showing his willingness to battle on the glass despite the offensive onslaught.
Historical dominance and upcoming schedule
This victory marks the Thunder’s 16th straight win over the Grizzlies, including a four‑game sweep in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. The Thunder’s recent success has been bolstered by Gilgeous‑Alexander’s scoring bursts of 43 and 42 points in recent wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma City will host the Washington Wizards on Saturday, while the Grizzlies travel to Toronto for their next matchup on Monday.
Community impact
The Thunder’s strong showing continues to energize the Oklahoma City fan base, reinforcing the team’s role as a source of local pride and family entertainment. The game’s high‑scoring nature and dominant defense provide a positive narrative for the city’s sports culture, aligning with the community’s values of teamwork, perseverance, and excellence.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
