Despite key absences, OKC leveraged defensive pressure and 31 points off turnovers to seize a crucial victory, igniting their offense.
Amid a rocky stretch by Oklahoma City Thunder standards, Monday night felt like the exact kind of stabilizer OKC needed, taking care of the Memphis Grizzlies 119–103 at Paycom Center to bounce back after two losses in three games.
The start had a familiar feel. Memphis came out hot again, then kept hanging around all night because the Grizzlies simply would not cool off from deep, drilling 18 threes on 44% shooting in a game where the teams combined to launch 80 attempts from beyond the arc.
But this one was about what makes the Thunder special when the game starts getting messy: early defense, forcing turnovers, then turning those mistakes into points before the opponent can set its defense. Memphis committed 23 turnovers, and OKC cashed those in for 31 points, which was the difference-maker in a game that stayed within reach longer than the final score suggests. Oklahoma City did it while shorthanded, playing without starters Chet Holmgren (illness) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf soreness), which forced OKC into smaller lineups that still found ways to win the possession battle.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the headliner with 31 points, eight assists and four steals, continuing a ridiculous run of 20-plus point nights. Jalen Williams served as the secondary creator engine with 24, flashing downhill force and highlight finishes when OKC needed a response. Ajay Mitchell stayed in his lane as the first off the bench spark this team needs, scoring 16 and hitting a huge three early in the fourth to stretch the margin before exiting midway through the final period.
Now the schedule gets real in a hurry. The Thunder heads to San Antonio for a Tuesday night matchup, then sees the Spurs again on Christmas Day back in Oklahoma City.