OKC sets the tone for the playoffs with the largest Game 1 blowout in NBA history.
Thunder Crush Grizzlies in Historic Game 1 Blowout: Score, Highlights & Key Stats
The 2025 NBA Playoffs kicked off with a bang as the Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a resounding message to the league. The Western Conference’s No. 1 seed opened their first-round series by dismantling the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, 131-80, in a performance that rewrote the record books.
With six players scoring in double figures, OKC stormed to a 32-point halftime lead and never looked back. The 51-point margin not only marked the largest Game 1 win in NBA playoff history, but it also capped a regular season where the Thunder posted the best point differential in league history at +12.5.
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Memphis Stifled by OKC’s Two-Way Masterclass
The Grizzlies entered the series after a convincing 120-106 Play-In win over the Mavericks, but they couldn’t find any rhythm against a locked-in Thunder squad. Memphis managed just 34% shooting from the field, and Ja Morant, their offensive catalyst, was held in check with 17 points on 6-of-17 shooting. He sat out the entire fourth quarter.
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Final Score: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
This marks the largest playoff win in Thunder franchise history.
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Notable Performances:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
23 minutes
15 points
3 rebounds
5 assists
4-13 FG | 1-7 3PT | 6-7 FT
2 fouls
SGA had a quiet outing by his standards, but he didn’t need to dominate. The Thunder’s bench and supporting cast stepped up big time.
Ja Morant (Grizzlies)
26 minutes
17 points
3 rebounds
4 assists
6-17 FG | 1-6 3PT | 4-5 FT
2 fouls
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Total Control from Tip-Off
Oklahoma City set the tone early, surging to a 68-36 halftime advantage. Efficient on offense and aggressive on defense, they hit 53.2% of their shots and feasted in transition. Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein each had 14 points at the break, while the Thunder defense clamped down on Memphis, holding them to 33% from the field and just 11% from deep (2-for-18).
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Starting Lineups:
Grizzlies:
G: Ja Morant
G: Scotty Pippen Jr.
F: Desmond Bane
F: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Zach Edey
Thunder:
G: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G: Lu Dort
F: Jalen Williams
F: Chet Holmgren
C: Isaiah Hartenstein
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Game Details:
Date: Sunday, April 20
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Stream: FuboTV, SlingTV
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
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Odds via BetMGM:
Series Winner: Thunder (-2000), Grizzlies (+1000)
Game 1 Spread: Thunder -13.5
Moneyline: Thunder -1000, Grizzlies +625
Over/Under: 231.5
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Expert Picks Favor OKC
Most analysts predict an easy series win for the Thunder:
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in 5
Heather Tucker: Thunder in 5
James Williams: Thunder in 5
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in 5
NBA.com: Thunder in 4
John Schuhmann of NBA.com emphasized OKC’s elite balance: “With their high-powered offense, rock-solid defense, and depth, the Thunder are in cruise control. Unless Memphis finds another gear, this could be a quick series.”