The Oklahoma City Thunder seized a critical moment in Monday night’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, turning the tide of the game after Ja Morant exited with an injury in the second quarter. What began as a tightly contested battle quickly transformed into a showcase of OKC’s depth, athleticism, and ability to capitalize on key momentum swings. When Morant went down, the Thunder wasted no time unleashing an explosive run that ultimately buried Memphis before they could recover.
At the time of Morant’s injury, the Grizzlies were hanging tough, trailing the Thunder by just a couple of points. Morant had been aggressive from the jump, slicing into the lane and making plays for both himself and his teammates. Though his scoring numbers were modest at that point, his presence on the court was vital for Memphis’ offensive rhythm. Early reports indicated that Morant suffered a non-contact injury to his right leg after landing awkwardly following a contested layup attempt. He immediately clutched his leg and limped off the floor, heading straight to the locker room with a grimace on his face.
As Morant was ruled out for the remainder of the game, the Thunder pounced. What followed was a staggering 28-6 run that turned a back-and-forth contest into a rout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge, flashing his usual blend of patience and shot-making ability. He operated with surgical precision, taking advantage of Memphis’ shaken defensive unit and attacking mismatches created by their lack of perimeter resistance.
Chet Holmgren also played a huge role in the surge, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. With Morant off the court, Memphis struggled to generate any downhill pressure, allowing Holmgren to camp near the rim and alter everything in sight. Offensively, he continued to show off his soft touch and high basketball IQ, finishing pick-and-rolls with poise and even stepping out to knock down a three-pointer during the pivotal run.
OKC’s second unit delivered as well, with Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins giving the Thunder a spark off the bench. Joe connected on back-to-back triples to stretch the lead, while Wiggins provided key stops and hustle plays that kept the momentum fully on Oklahoma City’s side. The energy from the bench spilled over to the rest of the team, and suddenly the Thunder looked like a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders.
Memphis, on the other hand, appeared stunned. Without Morant’s playmaking, their offense became stagnant, often relying on isolation plays that failed to produce consistent results. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. tried to rally the troops, but the absence of Morant’s dynamic ability to collapse defenses left the Grizzlies searching for answers.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was essentially out of reach. Oklahoma City had built a 20-point cushion and showed no signs of letting up. Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s response in the postgame interview, emphasizing how they recognized the opportunity to strike and stayed aggressive.
“It’s unfortunate to see a player like Ja go down — no one wants to win that way,” Daigneault said. “But I thought our guys locked in and played the right way. We stuck to our game plan, pushed the pace, and defended at a high level.”
The win not only solidified OKC’s spot near the top of the Western Conference standings but also sent a message: this young Thunder team is dangerous, and they know how to take advantage when opportunities present themselves. The extent of Morant’s injury remains to be seen, but for the Grizzlies, the concern is real. Without their star guard, climbing the standings in a loaded West becomes a much taller task.
For OKC, this was more than just another win. It was proof that they can flip a switch and dominate — even against a formidable opponent — when the moment calls for it.
