OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder begin their postseason run Sunday, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies in the first game of their opening-round series. Oklahoma City enters the 2025 NBA Playoffs as the top seed in the Western Conference, concluding a dominant regular season where they finished among the league's best on both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, navigated a challenging season marked by injuries and finished as the eighth seed after winning two Play-In Tournament games.
Expectations widely favor the Oklahoma City Thunder. Experts see this matchup as heavily lopsided, with the Thunder expected to handle the series comfortably. Some predictions even call for a quick four-game sweep for the top seed, highlighting the perceived gap between the two teams entering the postseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies face an uphill battle. Once viewed as the league's next young powerhouse with a trajectory mirroring the current Thunder, Memphis has dealt with significant setbacks. Star guard Ja Morant missed substantial time this season, altering the team's path and leaving them in a different position than anticipated just a few years ago. This series offers a stark contrast to what many expected when these two young cores were first developing.
Ja Morant's health remains a key factor for Memphis. He recently returned from an ankle sprain suffered during the Play-In Tournament. While he performed well in the win over Dallas to secure the eighth seed, facing the Thunder's defense, specifically the challenge of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and defensive specialist Lu Dort, presents a tougher test. Morant must perform at a high level for the Grizzlies to have any chance.
Beyond the guard matchup, the frontcourts present an intriguing clash. Grizzlies big men Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey face the Thunder's Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. Edey provided needed interior presence in the play-in games, and Jackson Jr.'s defensive capabilities, particularly against Holmgren's versatile game, could be significant. Jackson Jr. will need to improve his rebounding against the Thunder's size.
The Thunder are a serious No. 1 seed, known for their ability to go deep into their roster. Unlike many teams that shorten rotations in the playoffs, Oklahoma City often uses nine or ten players effectively. This depth provides continuous pressure and can wear down opponents, a strategy likely to continue in this Thunder Game series against a Grizzlies team that relied heavily on its main contributors.
Betting markets reflect the expected outcome. Despite the Grizzlies keeping it close at Thunder in the perception of some analysts, the large point spread for Game 1 indicates confidence in the Thunder's ability to win handily. Oklahoma City boasts an impressive record in games where they trailed by double digits, showcasing a resilience rarely seen in the league, which adds another layer of difficulty for Memphis hoping to build an early lead.
Game 1 of the series is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC. Game 2 follows Tuesday, April 22. The series shifts to Memphis for Games 3 and 4 later in the week. Fans tracking player performances and box scores can follow details for the upcoming Grizzlies at Thunder game as it happens.
