Thunder sweep Grizzlies,
sending a clear message about what’s to come
The Oklahoma City Thunder have
been one of the NBA’s best stories all season long, and after an
emphatic first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, it’s clear
they are not here just for experience – they are gunning for a
championship.
Oklahoma City dispatched Memphis
in four games with surgical precision, showcasing a level of
maturity and dominance rarely seen from a team this young. The
Thunder’s suffocating defense, timely scoring, and superior depth
overwhelmed a shorthanded Grizzlies squad (without Ja Morant for
games 3 and 4), who had little answer for OKC’s relentless two-way
attack. In the series, the Thunder held Memphis to just 98.5 points
per game, forcing them into 42% shooting from the field and a
paltry 31% from three. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, averaged 112.8
points per game while shooting 48% from the field and 39% from
beyond the arc.
The storyline wasn’t just about
team dominance — it was about individual ascension too.
Jalen Williams announced himself
as a full-fledged star, scoring 20-plus points in all four games of
the series. Williams averaged 23.5 points on 55% shooting, stepping
up consistently when defenses collapsed on MVP candidate Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander. His ability to create off the dribble, hit
timely threes, and finish through contact gave the Thunder the true
secondary scorer that they will need in their upcoming playoff
series and runs.
Williams’ growth into a
legitimate No. 2 option has transformed the Thunder offense. It’s
no longer just about SGA carrying the scoring burden as Williams’
rise allows OKC to maintain offensive pressure even when
Gilgeous-Alexander faces aggressive traps and double-teams. If
J-Dub continues this trajectory, the Thunder’s ceiling goes from
“contender” to “potential champion” quicker than anyone
anticipated.
But the sweep wasn’t just about
star power. The offseason additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex
Caruso have already proven invaluable in the
playoffs.
Hartenstein, signed last summer to solidify the
Thunder’s interior defense, gave them an anchor in the paint that
Memphis couldn’t match. He averaged 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per
game in the series, providing critical rim protection and a
physical presence that neutralized Memphis’ attempts to attack the
basket.
Meanwhile, Caruso – a veteran
with championship pedigree – brought exactly what OKC envisioned:
perimeter defense, toughness, and playoff poise. Tasked with
guarding the Grizzlies’ best perimeter scorers, Caruso lived up to
his defensive reputation, forcing turnovers and disrupting passing
lanes. His versatility allowed the Thunder to switch freely across
multiple positions, which completely shut down Memphis’ offensive
flow. Caruso’s impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but
his +15.2 net rating during the series speaks volumes about his
influence.
Then there’s Shai
Gilgeous-Alexander, the prospective NBA MVP this season. While his
numbers weren’t eye-popping (24.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.8
rebounds per game on 46% shooting), it’s important to note that
Memphis threw everything at him defensively. He faced double teams
on nearly every possession, saw box-and-ones at times, and
constantly dealt with physicality off the ball.
Even with the Grizzlies’ full
defensive attention, SGA remained steady, controlling the tempo and
trusting his teammates to make plays. The scary part for the rest
of the league? Gilgeous-Alexander has yet to truly erupt this
postseason – and it’s likely coming in the Thunder’s playoff series
to come.
If SGA can unleash his full
arsenal in the later rounds, combining with Williams’ emergence and
the defensive backbone of Hartenstein and Caruso, the Thunder
become an even more terrifying opponent. That didn’t even mention
budding sophomore Chet Holmgren, who was a monster on both ends of
the floor as well.
OKC’s dominance over Memphis
wasn’t just a sweep – it was a statement. For a young team that
many thought might need one more year to seriously contend,
Oklahoma City is moving faster than expected. Their blend of youth,
depth, defense, and star power has them looking like a juggernaut
in the making. And if this first-round performance is any
indication, the Thunder have no plans of slowing down.
The defense is suffocating. The
offense is increasingly dynamic. The confidence is sky-high.
Oklahoma City didn’t just beat Memphis – they overwhelmed them, and
in doing so, planted a clear signpost for the rest of the
NBA.
