Historic Lu Dort News Announced After Grizzlies-Thunder Game 3

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 10:27 PM ET

Facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, the Memphis Grizzlies entered Game 3 of their first-round playoff series seeking to avoid a daunting 3-0 deficit. Memphis already faced an uphill task against a Thunder team that had won 10 straight games against the Grizzlies heading into Thursday's matchup.

The Grizzlies started strong, building a commanding 67–38 lead late in the second quarter. However, a pivotal moment occurred when star guard Ja Morant suffered a left hip injury after a hard fall under the basket. Morant attempted to continue, returning to shoot two free throws, but missed both and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Grizzlies took a 26-point lead into the second half. However, without Morant, they struggled to maintain their lead, as the Thunder mounted a historic comeback to win the game 114–108. This marked the largest halftime deficit overcome to win a playoff game in NBA history.

This was not the only history Memphis was on the wrong end of in this game.

"Great number via the extremely handsome and well respected @espn_macmahon: The Grizzlies were 0-of-13 with Lu Dort as the closest defender in Game 3," OKC's Royce Young posted on X. "That’s the most field goal attempts defended without allowing a bucket in the playoffs since player tracking started in 2013-14."

Great number via the extremely handsome and well respected @espn_macmahon : The Grizzlies were 0-of-13 with Lu Dort as the closest defender in Game 3.

That’s the most field goal attempts defended without allowing a bucket in the playoffs since player tracking started in 2013-14
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 25, 2025

Key performances for the Thunder included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 31 points, eight assists, and four rebounds, and Jalen Williams contributing 26 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The Grizzlies' offense faltered in the final minutes, failing to score in the last four minutes of the game.

This loss puts Memphis in a challenging position, trailing 3-0 in the series. In NBA history, no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series; teams facing such a deficit are 0-157 all-time.

As the series progresses, the Grizzlies will hope to avoid a series sweep when they return to action on April 26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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