Sat Apr 26 19:20:00 UTC 2025: **Thunder Stage Historic Comeback, Push Grizzlies to Brink of Elimination**
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in NBA playoff history, erasing a 26-point halftime deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108 in Game 3. The victory puts Memphis on the brink of elimination in the first-round series.
The Grizzlies, fueled by a scorching first half from guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (28 points, 5-of-6 from three in the first half), built a commanding lead, shooting 11-of-22 from beyond the arc. However, the tide turned dramatically late in the second quarter when Memphis star Ja Morant suffered a hip injury after a hard fall.
The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and a second-half explosion from Chet Holmgren (16 of his 24 points in the third quarter), outscored the Grizzlies 74-41 after Morant’s injury. Holmgren, scoreless in the first half, caught fire, hitting 4-of-5 three-pointers in the third. His first basket of the game, a third-quarter three-pointer, signaled the shift in momentum.
Oklahoma City’s stifling defense held Memphis to just 31 second-half points on 9-of-36 shooting (3-of-20 from three), forcing 13 turnovers. The Thunder, known for their top-ranked defense, turned those turnovers into points, scoring 15 off Grizzlies turnovers in the third quarter alone. Alex Caruso highlighted the defensive effort with four steals in the second half.
“Our defense is our superpower,” Caruso stated. “When we’re locked in on that side of the ball, we’re an unstoppable force.”
The 26-point comeback marks the second-largest in NBA playoff history since at least 1997-98, trailing only the LA Clippers’ 31-point rally against the Golden State Warriors in 2019. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault credited a strategic adjustment at halftime and a renewed focus on defense for the turnaround.
Despite the crushing defeat, Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo praised his team’s effort. “I thought we did a great job of fighting for 48 minutes,” he said. “It’s not enough to fight. You also have to execute.” The severity of Morant’s injury remains unclear.
First Piper 