Grizzlies vs Thunder Game 3 of the Western Conference first round arrives on April 25, 2025, at Memphis’s FedExForum. After dominant wins of 131–80 in Game 1 and 118–99 in Game 2, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder sit on the verge of a historic 3–0 sweep. Meanwhile, the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies must summon all their grit—and pray for a shift in momentum—to extend their season. With tip-off scheduled for 10:00 a.m. IST (9:30 p.m. ET) and live coverage on TNT, both fanbases are bracing for a pivotal night of high stakes, star matchups, and the fate of two contrasting seasons.
Memphis secured the final playoff seed at 48–34, surviving the play-in tournament, while OKC roared to a 68–14 record and the West’s No. 1 seed. Entering Game 3, the Thunder lead the series 2–0, having outscored Memphis by an average of 35 points per game. A sweep would mark OKC’s first 3–0 playoff start since 1991. Memphis, under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, must arrest the Thunder’s transition game and find reliable scoring beyond Ja Morant. OKC, coached by Mark Daigneault, plans to maintain its defensive intensity and pace to close out the series swiftly.
Historically, the Thunder have held the upper hand, winning all five regular-season matchups against the Grizzlies by an average of 16.4 points. Game 1’s 51-point margin was the fifth-largest in NBA playoff history. The Thunder have held third-quarter leads exceeding 20 points twice already, and Memphis’s inability to slow down dribble-drive penetration and rim runs has consistently played into OKC’s strengths.
Key matchups to watch include Ja Morant vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Morant, averaging 23.2 PPG and 7.3 APG, must overcome SGA’s lockdown defense, while SGA, who is averaging 32.7 PPG and 6.4 APG, seeks to replicate his 34-point Game 2 explosion. Additionally, the frontcourt showdown between Jaren Jackson Jr.’s rim protection and Chet Holmgren’s versatility is critical. Holmgren averages 14.8 PPG and 6.2 RPG in these playoffs. Memphis's Desmond Bane needs to shoulder more scoring, while Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Williams have combined for 31 PPG off the Thunder bench.
Injury updates reveal that Memphis's Ja Morant is questionable due to calf tightness, while Brandon Clarke is out for the season. For the Thunder, Ousmane Dieng is out until April 26 due to an ankle injury, and Nikola Topic is also out for the season following knee surgery. Both teams report healthy rotations otherwise, but Morant’s availability remains the most critical variable.
The Thunder’s tactical blueprint has focused on high-octane transition play, switchable defense, and ball-screen pressure, forcing Grizzlies guards into early decisions. Memphis must counter with zone variations to clog driving lanes and protect Jackson Jr., while also creating passing angles to unsettle OKC’s help rotations.
Statistically, the Thunder's offensive efficiency dwarfs Memphis’s, with OKC holding a 121.4 offensive rating compared to the Grizzlies' 101.8. The Thunder's defense has held opponents to a playoff-low 41.2% shooting overall, while Memphis has struggled, shooting just 28.3% from three-point range in the first two games.
The atmosphere at FedExForum is expected to be electric, with the home crowd known for their “Grind City” chants. Noise levels can disrupt OKC’s communication on defense, and early Grizzlies runs could swing confidence. However, past playoff performances suggest that OKC’s veterans thrive under hostile conditions.
Coaches Mark Daigneault and Tuomas Iisalo have shared their perspectives ahead of the game. Daigneault stated, “Our group has been locked in on both ends. We know Memphis will fight—we have to maintain focus from tip-off.” Iisalo added, “The challenge is to disrupt their rhythm early. We need more ball movement and defensive urgency to make this a series.” Their post-game soundbites underscore the strategic chess match that will define Game 3.
This series marks the first playoff meeting between these franchises. In 2021, OKC swept Memphis in the bubble play-in, but these Grizzlies boast a deeper, more battle-tested core. A Memphis win would avoid a sweep—the first in franchise history since relocating in 2001—and keep hopes for a second-round berth alive.
Game 3 is the fulcrum: a Thunder victory ends the series in dramatic fashion, while a Grizzlies upset extends the fight to Game 4 back in Oklahoma City. Expect every possession to be contested, every star to be measured, and each coach to adjust in real time. For OKC fans, a sweep would etch “2025 Thunder” into the record books; for Memphis, it’s about pride, resilience, and defying the odds one final time.
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