The Memphis Grizzlies are on the brink of elimination after a devastating 114-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, leaving them down 3-0 in their first-round playoff series. Coach Tuomas Iisalo addressed the challenges his team faced in the aftermath of their third consecutive defeat.
Iisalo highlighted the Grizzlies’ inability to execute down the stretch as a key factor in the loss. Despite leading by 26 points at halftime, Memphis was unable to maintain control in the second half, which saw a dramatic comeback by the Thunder. “We did a great job fighting for 48 minutes, but against this team, it’s not enough to fight. You also have to be able to execute,” said Iisalo.
The game turned sharply when Ja Morant suffered a left hip contusion following a hard fall after a midair collision with Luguentz Dort. Morant, who had 15 points and five assists before the injury, briefly returned to the court to shoot two free throws but was forced to leave for good. “He’s going through further evaluations tomorrow, and then we’ll know more,” Iisalo shared.
Despite Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies initially appeared poised to take control. Memphis shot 55% in the first half and held a commanding 77-51 lead at the break. However, Oklahoma City mounted a strong comeback led by Chet Holmgren, who scored 23 of his 24 points in the second half, including five three-pointers. Holmgren’s performance, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31 points and eight assists, sparked a 64-31 second-half run for the Thunder.
Iisalo noted that the team’s execution faltered in the final stretch, especially in the fourth quarter. “The inability to get the ball to the right player, against the right player, in the right spot at the right time” was a major issue, according to the Grizzlies’ coach.
Scotty Pippen Jr. led Memphis with a strong 28-point performance, including six made three-pointers, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points. However, it wasn’t enough as the Grizzlies’ offense stalled in the final quarter, scoring just 13 points while the Thunder’s defense forced 16 turnovers.
Looking ahead, Memphis faces an uphill battle as they try to stave off elimination in Game 4. The Grizzlies will need to rally around their core players, with Morant’s status uncertain for the next game. Iisalo remains hopeful but stressed the importance of team unity. “Our togetherness is seriously tested right here. The message is to stick together, do our best. We saw today where it can lead to, especially in the first half.”
Oklahoma City now leads the series 3-0 and can complete the sweep on Saturday in Memphis, as they continue their strong push for a deeper playoff run.
