Injuries plague both sides as a depleted Thunder faces an undermanned Grizzlies. Can OKC extend their Memphis streak with a hobbled roster?
The good news for Thunder fans is that the defending champs snapped a two game losing streak with a more entertaining than it had any right to be overtime win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
The bad news for Thunder fans is the latest OKC injury report.
All of a sudden, it's going to be much more of a challenge to keep the momentum going and string together back to back wins. At first glance, a trip to Memphis to face the Grizzlies should be a near gimme for Oklahoma City. After all, the Thunder have beaten Memphis 11 straight times. That number bumps up to 15 if you include the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. But OKC is going to be without several of their best players on Friday night at the FedExForum.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right ankle sprain), Chet Holmgren (bilateral shins soreness), Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical), Nikola Topic (surgical recovery), Cason Wallace (left great toe soreness) and Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) are all out against the Grizzlies.
On the bright side, Alex Caruso has been upgraded to questionable (low back soreness).
That's seven players out. Maybe eight players out. Including the MVP, the DPOY frontrunner, OKC's best rebounder and the league leader in steals.
That leaves Jalen Williams and Lu Dort as the only starters available. The two 2025 All-Defense selections will be joined by Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams and a returning Ousmane Dieng. Plus two-way players Branden Carlson, Brooks Barnhizer and Chris Youngblood.
So how are the Thunder still somehow 4.5 favorites to come away with the road win?
Turns out, the plenty of Grizzlies are on the latest injury report as well. Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke and Ty Jerome will all miss Friday night's contest. John Konchar is doubtful. And young talents Cedric Coward and Vince Williams Jr. are both questionable.
Memphis still has plenty of proven players to push the shorthanded Thunder. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a former Defensive Player of the Year, Cam Spencer has been a breakout sharpshooter, Jaylen Wells is a great, young perimeter defender, Santi Aldama is a big man with shooting range, Jock Landale is another big man with shooting range and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a trusty vet.
If OKC is going to avoid three losses in four games, they are going to have to do it without Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, Hartenstein and Wallace. The Thunder have become widely known as the deepest team in the NBA. No better time to prove it than Friday night in Memphis.