Thunder Dominate Grizzlies in Record-Breaking Playoff Win

In a stunning display of dominance, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies with a final score of 131-80 in their first playoff game on Sunday. This 51-point margin of victory stands as the largest in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs and ranks as the fifth-largest all-time in postseason history, falling just seven points short of the record for playoff victories.

Jalen Williams contributed significantly to the Thunder’s victory with 20 points, while Chet Holmgren posted an impressive line of 19 points and 10 rebounds. The team’s star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the league in scoring during the regular season, managed to put up only 15 points. Nevertheless, the Thunder maintained a strong shooting percentage of 50.5% from the floor, showcasing their prowess as the top seed with an outstanding regular-season record of 68 wins and 14 losses.

On the opposing side, Memphis struggled offensively, with Ja Morant leading the way with 17 points on a subpar 6-for-17 shooting performance. Jaren Jackson Jr., who had an impressive scoring average during the regular season, managed only four points, hitting just 2 of 13 attempts. Interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who had limited experience coaching this season, witnessed his team's dismal shooting percentage of 34.4%.

The Thunder’s commanding lead was evident early on, as they built a 35-point advantage by halftime. This victory joins a list of remarkable playoff wins, including the Denver Nuggets’ 58-point win in 2009 and the Minneapolis Lakers’ 58-point victory in 1956, as a testament to the Thunder’s powerful performance in this playoff series opener.