In a remarkable display of skill and teamwork, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies with a staggering score of 131-80 in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Sunday. This impressive victory marked the fifth-largest margin in NBA postseason history, falling just seven points short of the record margin of 58 points.
The Thunder's 51-point margin not only set a new standard for Game 1 victories in NBA playoff history, but it also showcased their dominance as they finished the regular season with a remarkable 68-14 record, the best in the league. The players highlighted their prowess on the court, with Jalen Williams leading the charge with 20 points, while Chet Holmgren contributed significantly with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite being the NBA scoring champion with an average of nearly 33 points per game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an off night, scoring only 15 points. Nevertheless, the Thunder displayed exceptional shooting accuracy, hitting 50.5% of their shots from the field.
The Grizzlies faced a tough challenge, with Ja Morant scoring 17 points but struggling with his shooting, finishing at 6-for-17. Jaren Jackson Jr., who had averaged over 22 points during the regular season, managed to score only four points on a dismal 2-for-13 shooting performance. Marvin Bagley III also contributed 17 points, but as a team, the Grizzlies shot just 34.4% overall, making it difficult to compete against the Thunder's efficient offense.
This playoff game was particularly significant for Memphis, marking their first under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who had previously coached only nine regular-season games before the play-in series. Historical context adds to the weight of this defeat; the largest playoff margins prior to this game include the Denver Nuggets' 58-point win over New Orleans in 2009 and the Minneapolis Lakers' 58-point victory against the St. Louis Hawks in 1956.
Notable historical losses also include the Los Angeles Lakers defeating Golden State by 56 points in 1973 and the Chicago Bulls overpowering the Milwaukee Bucks by 54 points in 2015. The Thunder's commanding performance saw them take a 35-point lead into halftime, firmly establishing their dominance early in the game.
As the Thunder prepare for Game 2 on Tuesday, they will look to maintain their momentum and continue their quest for playoff success. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to counter the Thunder's high-powered offense if they hope to turn the tide in this series.
