Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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

The Grizzlies lost their key guard, Ja Morant, to a hip injury with just over three minutes remaining in the first half.

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a classic comeback in Game 3 of the NBA playoff first-round series to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108 to take a 3-0 lead in the series. It was the second-largest comeback in the playoffs since 1997-98. The Thunder were 29 points behind in the game, but dropped a second-half surge to stun the Memphis Grizzlies.

OKC didn’t have a lead in the game until Jalen Williams’ free throw with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, and Jalen Williams had 26. Scotty Pippen led Memphis with 28 points, two short of his career high. Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 22 points, and Morant had 15 points and five assists before leaving the game.

OKC COMPLETES 29-POINT COMEBACK, THE 2ND LARGEST PLAYOFF COMEBACK IN PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA (1997-98). pic.twitter.com/GvoyxqV4nQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2025

Also Read: Pistons vs. Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns Shines as Officiating Controversy Clouds Game 3 Thriller

Ja Morant’s Injury Breaks Grizzlies’ Offensive Strength in Second Half

The Grizzlies lost their key guard, Ja Morant, to a hip injury with just over three minutes remaining in the first half, and the game slipped from Memphis, which held a 77-51 lead at halftime. Morant went down hard under the basket after being undercut by Lu Dort. The two-time All-Star returned to shoot free throws before heading to the locker room.

Oh man. Ja Morant down on the court in pain after being undercut by Lu Dort. pic.twitter.com/MfQN5Xv79p
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) April 25, 2025

The Grizzlies were up by 27 when Ja Morant got hurt. Thunder sparked a 21-9 run in the third to reduce the deficit to eight points. An 11-3 run in the fourth quarter led by Hologram helped Oklahoma City to take a 110-108 lead over Memphis with under a minute left.

Alex Caruso’s defense was crucial for Thunder with four key steals, and Hologram’s second half led the Thunder’s all scorers in the second half to set the momentum. Thunder outscored the Grizzlies 63-31 in the second half to script a famous win. Oklahoma City were down by 26 at halftime, and it is the largest halftime deficit overcome to win a playoff game in NBA history.

Thunder will look for a series sweep when they take on the Grizzlies for Game 4. The 3-0 advantage and Ja Morant’s injury made them clear favourites to wrap up the series on Saturday. Morant will be questionable for next game due to a serious hip injury.

Also Read: LA Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets Timeline: What is in store for Clippers-Nuggets Game 4?

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.