Game 1 of the highly anticipated first-round matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t go as planned for Ja Morant and his squad. Despite a gritty battle, Memphis came up short in the final minutes, falling to a hungry, fast-paced Thunder team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a group of emerging stars.
After the 112-106 loss, all eyes were on Ja Morant—not just because he’s the face of the franchise, but because his return to the playoff stage came with sky-high expectations. As always, Ja didn’t dodge the cameras. He sat down, composed but clearly frustrated, and gave an honest assessment of the night.
“We didn’t do enough,” he said, shaking his head. “Plain and simple. We let that one slip.”
Morant finished the game with 27 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds, showing flashes of the explosive playmaking that has made him one of the NBA’s most electric talents. But turnovers, missed opportunities, and a fourth-quarter scoring drought ultimately sealed the Grizzlies’ fate.
“It’s the playoffs, man. Every possession matters,” Ja continued. “We had moments where we were in control, but we let them build momentum. That can’t happen.”
OKC took advantage of every misstep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a force, scoring 30 and closing out the game with a poise that looked more seasoned than his years. Chet Holmgren, in his playoff debut, protected the rim like a vet and hit some timely shots to keep Memphis at bay. The Thunder played fast, confident, and unafraid—exactly how the Grizzlies used to look not so long ago.
When asked about matching that intensity moving forward, Ja didn’t hesitate.
“We gotta punch back. They hit first tonight, and we didn’t respond the way we needed to. But it’s a seven-game series. This ain’t over.”
That mindset is part of what’s made Morant the heart of this Memphis team. He’s always worn his emotions on his sleeve—whether soaring for dunks, hyping up his teammates, or taking responsibility after tough losses. And Game 1 was no different.
He acknowledged his own role in the loss, particularly a few critical late-game decisions.
“I gotta be better, especially late in games,” Ja admitted. “Couple shots I should’ve passed up, a turnover that hurt. That’s on me.”
Despite the disappointment, there’s still plenty of belief in the Grizzlies locker room. Jaren Jackson Jr. played solid defense and added 18 points, while Desmond Bane chipped in 22. But Memphis knows they’ll need more to even the series—more urgency, more efficiency, and more edge.
“OKC’s not playing around. They’re young, but they’re real,” Ja said. “So we gotta treat this like war. Every game, every quarter.”
The challenge now is turning the page quickly. Game 2 looms large, and dropping back-to-back games in OKC could put Memphis in a dangerous hole. But Ja remains confident in his group’s ability to respond.
“We’ve been here before,” he said. “This team’s got fight. We’ve dealt with injuries, with noise, with adversity. Nothing new. What matters is how we bounce back.”
And if there’s one thing fans know about Ja Morant—it’s that he thrives with his back against the wall. His swagger, his drive, and his relentless energy are contagious. He’s not just trying to win games. He’s trying to lead a franchise, ignite a city, and prove that the Grizzlies are still a force in the West.
“Game 2,” Ja said with a quiet intensity, “we comin’ different.”
