Key Points Summary โ Thunder 34-Point Comeback
- The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off an unbelievable 34-point run to storm back from a 29-point deficit against the Memphis Grizzlies!
- With Ja Morant injured and out at halftime, the Thunder took over, winning 114-108 and grabbing a 3-0 series lead.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 31 points, Jalen Williams added 26, and Chet Holmgren poured in 24โalmost all in the second half.
- This was the second-biggest comeback in NBA playoff history since 1997.
- Memphis now faces elimination as Game 4 looms, and Morantโs injury makes the outlook even darker for the Grizzlies.
Thunder 34-Point Comeback โ OKC Pulls Off the Impossible in Game 3 Shockfest
The Oklahoma City Thunder just ripped up the NBA playoff scriptโand lit it on fire.
Down by 29 points late in the first half, with Memphis rolling and the Grizzlies crowd already celebrating, the Thunder looked cooked.
And thenโboom.
A 34-point run. A miraculous comeback. A heart-stopping 114-108 win. And just like that, OKC is up 3-0 in the first-round series.
History was made. And the Grizzlies were left stunned.
The Moment Everything Changed โ Morant Goes Down
It all turned when Ja Morant, the heart and soul of the Grizzlies, went crashing to the floor with just over three minutes left in the first half.
Memphis was cruising, leading 67-40. Morant was mid-air, receiving a pass from Scotty Pippen Jr., when Luguentz Dort stumbled into him, sending the Grizzlies star hurtling to the ground.
- Morant tried to stay toughโhe limped back out to shoot free throws.
- He missed both.
- He was helped off, his jersey off, his face a picture of pain.
The official diagnosis: left hip contusion. And with Morant gone, the door creaked open for OKC.
And then the Thunder kicked it down.
Chet Holmgren, SGA, and Jalen Williams โ The New Thunder Trio Takes Over
The Thunder smelled bloodโand they went all in.
- Chet Holmgren, nearly invisible in the first half, exploded in the second, scoring 23 of his 24 points after the break.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kept doing what he does best, dropping 31 clutch points.
- Jalen Williams played like a man possessed, putting up 26 points, including a crucial free throw that gave OKC their first lead of the game with 1:20 left.
From 77-51 down at halftime, OKC roared back with a 36-18 third quarter, and by the fourth, the Grizzlies were the ones gasping for air.
โWe just refused to lose,โ Holmgren said postgame. โNo quit in this group.โ
The Second-Biggest Playoff Comeback Ever
This wasnโt just a big win. It was a historic win.
Since detailed play-by-play data began being tracked in 1996-97:
- Only once has there been a bigger comeback (Clippers erasing a 31-point hole against the Warriors in 2019).
- The Thunderโs rally is now locked in as the second-largest comeback in NBA playoff history.
And they made it look personal.
Memphis Crumbles Without Morant
Credit where itโs due: Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaren Jackson Jr. tried to save Memphis.
- Pippen scored 28 points, nearly matching his career high.
- Jackson added 22 points.
But without Morantโs spark, the Grizzlies just couldnโt hold on. The turnovers piled up. The defensive intensity faded. And OKC just kept hitting themโover and over and over.
โWe had it, and we let it slip,โ Jackson admitted.
Drama, Blood, and Wild Swings โ Itโs Playoff Basketball at Its Craziest
The night had everything:
- Early fireworks from Memphisโ three-point barrage.
- A brutal injury to a superstar.
- A ferocious, record-breaking comeback.
- The crowd swinging from euphoric to horrified.
Itโs the kind of game you watch again just to make sure it really happened.
And itโs the kind of collapse Memphis might not recover from.
Game 4: Thunder Ready to Finish It
With OKC leading the series 3-0, they now have a chance to slam the door shut on Saturday night.
The Grizzlies, battered, bruised, and missing their leader, will be fighting for survival.
The Thunder? Theyโll be smelling blood again.
โWe know itโs not over,โ Gilgeous-Alexander said. โBut weโre going to stay hungry.โ
If the Thunder play like they did in that second half, it wonโt just be overโitโll be a statement.
Thunder 34-Point Comeback โ A Playoff Miracle for the Ages
The Thunderโs 34-point comeback isnโt just a great playoff momentโitโs one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history.
- Resilience.
- Heart.
- Pure, unfiltered magic.
Oklahoma City didnโt just surviveโthey snatched victory from the jaws of a blowout and now stand on the edge of sweeping a stunned Memphis team.
If this young Thunder squad keeps riding this emotional rollercoaster, who knows where theyโll stop?
One thingโs for sure:
This team is fearless. This team is dangerous. And this team is officially must-watch TV.
