The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies squared off in a highly anticipated Western Conference clash on Friday, January 9, 2026, at FedExForum in Memphis. With both teams navigating rocky stretches and significant injury woes, fans tuned in at 8:00 p.m. ET on FDSSE, FDSOK, NBA TV, and WMC-TV, eager to see how the shorthanded squads would handle the pressure.
Heading into this matchup, the Thunder boasted a league-best 31-7 record, but their recent form had been less than stellar. After an eye-popping 24-1 start to the season, Oklahoma City dropped six of their last 13 games, including back-to-back losses to the Suns and Hornets and a nail-biting overtime escape against the Jazz. Despite the recent stumble, the Thunder’s resume remained impressive: they averaged 121.4 points per game—second in the NBA—and led the league in defensive rating, holding opponents to just 18.1 points per contest, a testament to their stifling presence on that end.
But if Thunder fans hoped for a return to full strength, they were in for a letdown. The team’s injury report read like a who’s who of key contributors: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right ankle), Chet Holmgren (bilateral shins), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus), Cason Wallace (left toe), Alex Caruso (lower back soreness), Jaylin Williams, Nikola Topic, and Thomas Sorber were all ruled out for the night. That left only Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort as healthy starters from the regular five, thrusting the likes of Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Lu Dort into expanded roles.
"It’s a challenge, but that’s what this team is built for," said Thunder head coach (name unlisted in sources). "We pride ourselves on two-way impact from every guy on the roster. Tonight, we’ll need everyone to step up."
Jalen Williams, in particular, faced mounting expectations. Still shaking off some shooting rust after an early-season injury, Williams was expected to shoulder the offensive load. Ajay Mitchell, projected to surpass 17.5 points for the night, had quietly become a reliable scoring option, while Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe provided much-needed depth and energy.
On the other side, the Memphis Grizzlies entered the contest with a 16-21 record, sitting 10th in the Western Conference and desperate to halt a slide that saw them lose five of their last six games. The Grizzlies’ own injury list was daunting: Ja Morant remained sidelined with a right calf contusion as trade rumors swirled around the franchise. Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, Ty Jerome, and Scottie Pippen Jr. were all out, John Konchar was doubtful with a thumb injury, and both Vince Williams Jr. and rookie Cedric Coward were game-time decisions.
"We’re focused on who’s here and ready to play," Memphis head coach (name unlisted in sources) told reporters before tip-off. "It’s next man up, and we’ll need everyone’s best effort."
Jaren Jackson Jr. was the clear focal point for Memphis, averaging 18.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He came off a 19-point effort against the Phoenix Suns and had scored 21 in the game prior. Santi Aldama had increased his offensive role, but after a lackluster seven-point outing on 3-of-8 shooting in his last appearance, the Grizzlies needed more from him. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who had dropped 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the previous contest, was another key contributor, along with promising rookie Cedric Coward, who had been chipping in with 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Despite the absences, both teams had reasons for optimism. The Thunder’s depth had been a calling card all season, and even with 60% of their starting lineup out, their philosophy emphasized readiness from every player. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, hoped their energetic bench and fast-paced style (fourth quickest in the NBA) could exploit Oklahoma City’s depleted rotation.
Oddsmakers reflected the Thunder’s edge despite their injuries, installing them as 5.5-point favorites with Moneyline odds of -218 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Grizzlies entered as +180 underdogs, and the total was set at 229.5 points. Betting trends revealed that Oklahoma City was 19-19 against the spread, while Memphis stood at 16-21 ATS. Notably, the over/under had gone under in 20 of 38 Thunder games and 23 of 37 Grizzlies contests, suggesting a potential defensive battle. However, projections were mixed: some models anticipated the total going over, with a predicted combined score of 230.7 points, while others leaned toward a third consecutive under given the teams’ recent head-to-head totals of 224 and 222 points.
Ajay Mitchell was a player to watch, with several analysts predicting he’d eclipse his 17.5-point prop. According to USA TODAY’s projections, "Mitchell is 18-for-33 at scoring more than the total set for his points prop this season." With so many key Thunder scorers unavailable, his offensive responsibilities loomed larger than ever.
For Memphis, the absence of Morant continued to cast a shadow—not just on the court, but in the locker room as trade rumors intensified. The Grizzlies’ offense, which averaged 115.2 points per game (19th in the NBA), had struggled to find a consistent rhythm, especially in transition. In their previous meetings with Oklahoma City, Memphis was limited to just 103 and 100 points, and their pace advantage had been neutralized by the Thunder’s athletic reserves and defensive discipline.
With both teams battered, the game promised to be a test of resilience and adaptability. Would the Thunder’s depth and defensive prowess be enough to overcome their missing stars? Or could the Grizzlies, led by Jackson Jr. and a hungry supporting cast, seize the moment and snap their skid?
As the action unfolded at FedExForum, fans witnessed a gritty, hard-fought contest shaped as much by who wasn’t playing as by who was. While the outcome was still developing at press time, one thing was clear: both Oklahoma City and Memphis were determined to prove that, even in adversity, their seasons were far from decided.
Stay tuned for updates as this Western Conference battle continues to unfold, with both teams hoping to emerge stronger from a night defined by perseverance and opportunity.
