The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a dominant four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs, winning 117-115 in a thrilling Game 4 on Saturday night. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 38 points, the Thunder will now have time to rest and prepare for their next challenge in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Following the game, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault spoke highly of the Grizzlies’ resilience despite the loss. “Just off the top, I want to acknowledge Memphis. Hard-fought series. I was particularly impressed with just their fight in the series,” Daigneault said. “Obviously, a demoralizing Game 1 for them, and they were better, as I mentioned pregame, in Game 2, really good in Game 3, and their fight tonight was impressive. Down 3-0, down Morant, down 11 with four to go. So, a lot of respect for them competitively. They were great. They fought really hard. They were down 11 with four to go, and they kept fighting. That’s a credit to their competitive nature and their resilience.”
The Grizzlies, without Ja Morant, kept the game tight throughout the evening. Memphis’ Scotty Pippen Jr. had a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama each contributed 23 points. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Oklahoma City’s late-game execution.
Daigneault also addressed his team’s performance down the stretch. “These last two have been good for us, you know, and on a playoff stage with playoff pressure,” he explained. “I thought we executed really well late in this one, like very late. We could have been a little bit tighter when we built whatever the lead was, I think it was 11. I thought we just got a little loose on some defensive possessions, specifically. But once it tightened up, I thought everything from defensive execution, clock management, the fouling up three, the block out on the free throw, was all very positive.”
In Game 4, the Thunder’s Jalen Williams played a crucial role, scoring 23 points and hitting a vital three-pointer with 5:41 remaining that gave Oklahoma City a 10-point lead. “I think he’s a great player, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a growing player,” Daigneault remarked on Williams’ continued growth. “He still has a lot of runway as a player, and obviously continues to get better. He was great tonight.”
As for Gilgeous-Alexander, Daigneault noted the guard’s consistency throughout the series. “I think he was pretty consistent with his floor game in all these games,” Daigneault said. “The way he played didn’t change. That’s really what we’re focused on. I thought he had some makeable stuff in some of the early games that he missed, but I didn’t think he played any different. I just think he got into a groove, obviously today and last game.”
Looking ahead to the next round, Daigneault reflected on the benefits of a sweep and the extended time off. “We’ll always take it, you know. We’re trying to win every game,” Daigneault said. “We can’t choose how the series unfold. We put our best foot forward and let the outcomes be what they are. But it’s good, you know, obviously physically to rejuvenate. Guys, I’m sure, are dealing with little things here and there that they get to get healthy. And it allows ample prep time.”
The Thunder now await the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers as they look to continue their postseason push.
