The Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Memphis Grizzlies 128-97 on Friday in their NBA Cup West Group B clash, delivering a 31-point defeat that left little doubt about the balance of power. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points and four assists, though he played only three quarters, suggesting the Thunder’s dominance was never in question.
Ajay Mitchell, despite being on the losing side, recorded a career-best 35 points and five assists for Memphis. Jared McCain also made an impact with 21 points, but the rest of the Grizzlies struggled to keep pace.
Ty Jerome, a former Thunder guard now with Memphis, scored 21 points and handed out five assists, but that effort was overshadowed by Oklahoma City’s offensive firepower. Zach Edey contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Cameron Boozer managed eight points and 12 boards, though his impact was limited in the face of the Thunder’s attack.
The Thunder’s performance was emphatic from the tip-off, with Gilgeous-Alexander setting the tone early before stepping back to the bench after three quarters. His efficiency helped Oklahoma City build a substantial lead that Memphis could not erase.
The Grizzlies’ defense failed to contain the Thunder’s balanced scoring. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 28 points came alongside significant contributions from other teammates, reflecting a team effort that Memphis struggled to match. The disparity in scoring distribution was evident as the Thunder shared the ball effectively, while Memphis leaned heavily on Mitchell’s standout night.
Memphis’ 31-point loss is a blow in the NBA Cup West Group B standings, where every game carries weight. The Thunder’s commanding win cements their position as serious contenders in the group, shifting pressure onto the Grizzlies to respond in their upcoming fixtures.
Photographs from the game capture moments of Oklahoma City’s dominance, from Gilgeous-Alexander’s confident drives to the team’s celebrations as the scoreboard widened. The images underline the gap in performance between the two sides on this night.
The Thunder will look to maintain this momentum as the NBA Cup progresses, while Memphis must regroup after a night where their best efforts weren’t enough to keep pace with a potent Oklahoma City attack.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Photos: Best images from Thunder's 128-97 win over Grizzlies.
According to Yahoo Sports.
