Jalen Williams scored 26 points and Kenrich Williams hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-116 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Friday. Ajay Mitchell added 23 points, and Aaron Wiggins contributed 16 as the Thunder overcame a 21-point second-half deficit.
Oklahoma City has now won 16 straight games against Memphis, including a first-round playoff sweep last season. The Thunder trailed 80-68 midway through the third quarter but surged with a 15-6 run and shot 61% in the period to stay within reach.
Memphis was led by Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 23 points with seven rebounds. GG Jackson added 18 points, and Santi Aldama chipped in 15, but the Grizzlies have now lost six of seven.
The game remained close in the fourth quarter, with Oklahoma City finally taking the lead at 115-114 after Kenrich Williams’ 3-pointer. Cedric Coward’s 14-foot attempt in the closing seconds was blocked by Alex Caruso, preserving the Thunder’s narrow victory.
Both teams were short-handed for much of the game. Oklahoma City played without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein, while Memphis was missing Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and four other rotation players.
The Thunder shot 47% from the field and 24% from 3-point range, while Memphis hit 47% of its shots and 34% from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City also recorded six steals and nine assists in the comeback effort.
Oklahoma City (32-7) hosts the Miami Heat on Sunday, aiming to maintain its Western Conference lead. Memphis (16-22) will finish a four-game homestand against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday as they continue to battle injuries and inconsistency.
