Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Ruthless OKC Thunder Outclass Memphis Grizzlies For Fifth Biggest Margin of Victory in NBA Playoff History

The Thunder fell short by seven points to set an NBA record for the biggest winning margin in playoff history.

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder highlighted a ruthless domination in Game 1 of the first round in the NBA playoffs with a 131-80 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Top seed in the West, Thunder take a 1-0 lead in the Best-of-7 series. The 51-point blowout loss is one of the biggest defeats for any team in postseason history. It was the Grizzlies’ first playoff game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo.

Aaron Wiggins scored 21 points, while Jalen Williams added 20 for the Thunder. Chet Holmgren finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s scoring leader, chipped in 15 points. Ja Morant led Memphis with 17 points on just 6-for-17 shooting. Jaren Jackson Jr. managed four points on 2-for-13 shooting. The Grizzlies shot just 34.4% overall.

THUNDER TAKE GAME 1 AT HOME 🙌

It's the largest margin of victory in a Game 1 in playoff history. #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/7DH8meBm2g
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025

Also Read: Jayson Tatum’s NBA Playoff Record- What is Tatum’s Win-Loss Record in NBA Playoffs?

Thunder Secure Largest Game 1 Victory in NBA playoff history

Oklahoma City thrashed Memphis 32-20 in the first quarter. The Thunder opened the second quarter with a 23-2 run, scoring on 10 consecutive possessions, to take full control of the game. They built a 32-point lead at halftime and stretched it to 49 points at the end of the third quarter.

In the entire game, Memphis’ best quarter performance was 27 points in the third. In the other three quarters, the Grizzlies scored 29 or fewer, which signifies the domination of the Thunder, the league’s top-ranked defense. Memphis’ top two scorers, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., finished a combined 8 for 30 from the field and 1 of 10 from beyond the arc.

The Thunder fell short by seven points to set an NBA record for the biggest winning margin in playoff history. Still, their 51-point victory was the fifth-largest in NBA postseason history, and the largest in the first game of a playoff series.

Also Read: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat Game 1 Recap – Donovan Mitchell Breaks Record in Big NBA Playoffs 2025 Win

Will Grizzlies Make Comeback or Will It Be a 4-0 Sweep for Thunder?

The Memphis Grizzlies dropped one of their worst performances of the season and will be under pressure throughout the series. Oklahoma City outscored Memphis 27-5 on fast-break points and scored 24 points off 24 Grizzlies’ turnovers. Memphis were just 6 of 34 from beyond the arc and finished shooting 34.4 percent overall.

This playoff series would be a cakewalk for the Thunder, who are aiming for the championship glory this year. They had also defeated the Grizzlies in all four regular-season meetings by 13 or more points. With another home game lined up on Tuesday, Oklahoma City would look to make it 2-0.

OH MY GOODNESS J-DUB 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/VvVoAiJdEY
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025

Fatigue could be an issue for Memphis following its participation in the Play-In Tournament. However, nothing can take away from the Thunder’s dominant performance. A comeback victory of the Grizzlies can add spark to this playoff series, but it looks unlikely against the current roster of the Thunder. A 4-0 sweep is on the cards in the first round.

Also Read: Stephen Curry’s Playoff Record- What is the Three-Point King’s Win-Loss Record in NBA Playoffs?

Image Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Playoffs

OKC Thunder

Shai Gilgeou-Alexander

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.