Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

NBA Playoffs 2025- OKC Thunder Sweep Grizzlies To Reach Western Conference Semifinals for Second Straight Season

The Grizzlies became the first team to get eliminated from the NBA Playoffs 2025.

Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder once again put their dominance on display as they swept past the Memphis Grizzlies to reach the Western Conference Semifinals. The Grizzlies went down against the Thunder 117-115 on Saturday, April 26 at FedExForum in Memphis, marking their fourth straight loss in the first-round NBA Playoffs 2025.

With the loss, the eighth seeds became the first team to get eliminated in the playoffs. The last time the Grizzlies made it to the second round was in 2022, where they lost 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors. Talking about the Thunder, they have become the second youngest team in NBA history to advance to the Conference Semis. They are behind only last year’s Thunder team.

Next stop: Western Conference Semifinals pic.twitter.com/CWrgcGjEmZ
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 26, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Playoff Career-High Fuels Thunder To Become First Team To Reach Second Round

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight:

38 points
5 rebounds
6 assists
54% FG

Thunder with the SWEEP

(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/IyOY07Vp1s
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 26, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the leading scorer of the ongoing season, came up with a game-winning performance of 38 points, five rebounds, and six assists to lead Thunder to become first team to reach the second playoffs round. SGA was shooting 13-of-24 from the field and 1-of-4 from threes, marking his playoff-career high score. Jalen Williams dropped 23 points, four rebounds, and five assists while a total of three players including Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Isaiah Joe dropped 11 points apiece.

Also Read: OKC Thunder Ignites Largest Halftime Comeback in NBA Playoffs History to Beat Memphis Grizzlies After Ja Morant Injury

On the other hand, the Grizzlies, who were without their superstar Ja Morant, had Scotty Pippen Jr. matching his career high with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. Santi Aldama and Desmond Bane scored 23 points each. Notably, the Grizzlies were trailing the game by 12 with over three minutes remaining on the clock. They narrowed the gap to two with 7.1 seconds remaining, but ended up falling short at the end.

The Thunder will be up against the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets or No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers in the next round of the playoffs.

Also Read: ‘It was a sad day for me’ – NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Reveals the 2 WWE Hall of Famers who Destroyed His Childhood Illusions

Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Playoffs 2025

Oklahoma City Thunder

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.