Key Points Summary – Thunder Like Champions in NBA Playoffs
- Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their playoff series, marking the fifth-largest win in NBA postseason history.
- The Thunder’s 51-point victory is the biggest Game 1 win ever in the playoffs.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored just 15 points, but his teammates stepped up big-time with Aaron Wiggins (21), Jalen Williams (20), and Chet Holmgren (19 points, 10 rebounds).
- The Thunder shot over 50% from the field and dominated both ends of the floor.
- OKC opened the second quarter with a 20-0 run, holding a 35-point halftime lead.
- The Grizzlies struggled with poor shooting and low energy, finishing with just 34.4% from the field.
- Game 2 is Tuesday, and the Thunder look to keep the momentum going as championship buzz builds.
Thunder Like Champions in NBA Playoffs – Total Domination From Start to Finish
If anyone had doubts about the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship potential, Sunday’s 131-80 obliteration of the Memphis Grizzlies sent a very clear message: the Thunder are for real, and they’re here to win it all.
This wasn’t just a win—it was an all-out basketball beatdown, a 51-point drubbing that immediately became one of the most lopsided games in NBA playoff history.
“We played to our identity,” said Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who shockingly didn’t need to dominate the scoreboard himself. “Nothing more, nothing less.”
This win was about teamwork, chemistry, and championship-level execution. It’s no wonder fans and experts are already buzzing: the Thunder are playing like champions.
A Historic Win for OKC – And a Nightmare for Memphis
Let’s start with the numbers, because they’re jaw-dropping:
- Final score: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
- Margin of victory: 51 points (5th-largest in NBA postseason history)
- Largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history
- Thunder shot 50.5% from the field
- Grizzlies shot just 34.4%
This kind of blowout is rare—and the way OKC pulled it off makes it even more impressive.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Steps Back – The Team Steps Up
You’d expect a performance like this to be powered by an MVP candidate going nuclear. But that’s what makes this Thunder win so special:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer this season, finished with just 15 points.
And yet, the Thunder didn’t just survive—they thrived.
- Aaron Wiggins poured in 21 points
- Jalen Williams added 20 points
- Chet Holmgren showed why he’s one of the league’s brightest young stars, tallying 19 points and 10 rebounds
This wasn’t just a Shai show—it was a team statement.
“I have a great group of guys around me, and I’ve known that for a long time,” Gilgeous-Alexander said with pride.
20-0 Run in the Second Quarter – Lights Out
Midway through the second quarter, the Thunder decided to hit the gas—and never looked back.
They went on a 20-0 run, turning a 35-22 lead into a 55-22 blowout, silencing the Memphis bench and leaving fans in total awe.
By halftime, the Thunder were up by 35 points—a lead that only grew as the second half dragged on.
“It felt like every possession was a highlight reel,” one OKC fan said. “They couldn’t miss, and Memphis couldn’t breathe.”
Memphis Meltdown – A Rough Day for the Grizzlies
Things couldn’t have gone worse for Memphis.
- Ja Morant scored 17 points but shot just 6-for-17
- Jaren Jackson Jr., a key offensive weapon, finished with 4 points on 2-for-13 shooting
- The team looked tired, confused, and completely outclassed
“After that second-quarter run, the energy just wasn’t there,” Morant admitted postgame.
And it showed. This was Memphis’ first playoff game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who only had nine regular-season games under his belt before entering the postseason.
Thunder’s Road to the Finals – Are They the Team to Beat?
With this performance, Oklahoma City—who already finished the season with a league-best 68-14 record—is looking more and more like a Finals favorite.
They have:
- The league’s top scorer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- A rising superstar in Chet Holmgren
- One of the deepest benches in the league
- A coach of the year contender in Mark Daigneault
- And now, the most dominant Game 1 win of 2024
“This team looks scary,” said one analyst. “They’re young, hungry, and built to last.”
With Golden State, Boston, and Cleveland also making statements in their first-round openers, it looks like the Thunder are now the team everyone else is trying to catch.
What’s Next – Can Memphis Bounce Back?
Game 2 is set for Tuesday night, and everyone expects Memphis to come out swinging.
Even Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “They’re going to be better. That was a tough turnaround for them after playing 36 hours ago.”
But with the Thunder looking this strong, it’s hard to imagine any team—even a revitalized Grizzlies squad—slowing them down.
Thunder Like Champions in NBA Playoffs – Is This Their Year?
The Thunder like champions in NBA Playoffs vibe wasn’t just a feeling—it was a fact.
Oklahoma City didn’t just win. They dominated, dismantled, and delivered a performance that immediately elevated them from playoff hopefuls to title favorites.
And the most exciting part? They’re only getting started.
If you’re not watching OKC this postseason, it’s time to tune in—because this team might just run the table and bring home a championship.
Thunder up! The title chase is on.
