The Oklahoma Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, are set to take on the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies in a high-octane matchup.
MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game for the Thunder. High-flying guard Ja Morant (20.7 ppg) is coming off back to back 20-point games.
Shams Bomb during Halftime — 9:13 P.M. EST
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade has been rescinded. The players were dealt late Wednesday night before the deadline and now have to return to the teams that traded them.
Halftime — 9:10 P.M. EST
It’s halftime in Memphis. Thunder lead the Grizzlies 69-52 going into the break.
Gilgeous-Alexander: 17 pts, 3 ast, 1 blk
Wiggins: 17 pts, 7 reb, 1 ast
Jackson Jr: 13 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk
SGA up to 17 points — 9:09 PM EST
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous Alexander is up to 17 points in the first half of action.
Caruso hits three to extend lead to 12 — 9:04 PM EST
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is forced to call a timeout after Alex Caruso hits a corner three to extend the Thunder lead to 12.
Thunder lead 62-50 with 2:25 remaining in the half.
Jalen Williams athleticism on display — 9:00 PM EST
Jalen Williams has now reached 12 points after a monster slam dunk. The wing has been all over the court for the Thunder. Williams has a steal, block, 3 rebounds and 3 assists to go along with his 12 points.
Morant Scratches — 8:57 PM EST
Grizzlies star Ja Morant scores his first points of the night after draining a three-pointer on the left wing.
Wiggins on pace for career night — 8:54 PM EST
Thunder wing Aaron Wiggins, who averages 10.3 ppg, is on pace for a career night. The fourth-year man out of Maryland has 14 points with seven minutes remaining in the second.
Bane and Jackson Jr. Heating up for Memphis — 8:48 PM EST
Desmond Bane (7 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast) and Jaron Jackson Jr. (9 pts) are starting to heat up for Memphis. Grizzlies are still trailing but keeping it close. OKC leads 43-35 with 8:53 remaining in the second quarter.
End of First Quarter — 8:42 PM EST
The Thunder lead 34-26 after the first 12 minutes of action.
Wiggins: 11 pts, 3/5 3pt
Gilgeous-Alexander: 10 pts, 2/3 3pt
Thunder defense leads to offense — 8:40 PM EST
The Thunder have been dominant on both sides of the floor, turning stout defense into transition buckets. Wiggins and Gilgeous-Alexander have been leading the offense with Williams providing the lockdown defense.
Memphis Bench providing early offense — 8:33 P.M. EST
Santi Aldama and GG Jackson III have come off the bench to give the Grizzlies 6 points each. The Thunder lead 31-19 with 2:49 remaining in the first.
Hartenstein Charged with Flagrant Foul — 8:28 PM EST
Isaiah Hartenstein has been charged with a flagrant foul after closing out on a Santi Aldama three-point attempt. Aldama gets three free throws and Memphis retains the ball. Hartenstein is now one flagrant or technical away from ejection.
Thunder jump out to an early lead — 8:25 P.M. EST
The Thunder’s offensive attack has been too much for the Grizzlies in the early game. Gilgeous-Alexander and Wiggins lead OKC with 5 points each.
Thunder without Holmgren — 8:19 P.M. EST
The Thunder are missing 7’1” big man Chet Holmgren. This is a massive disadvantage considering Memphis has 7’4” rookie Zach Edey occupying the low post. Holmgren made his debut last night after missing the the past three months and is missing tonight due to rest.
Tipoff! — 8:13 P.M. EST
We’re live! Edey wins the tip for Memphis.
OKC Starters: Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams
MEM Starters: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaron Jackson Jr., Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey
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