Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) high fives guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2). Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Thunder set record with blowout win over Grizzlies

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 4:21 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a record-setting performance in their incredibly lopsided win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

The Thunder beat Memphis 131-80 in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the two teams at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. The game seemed to be over from the opening tip, as OKC took a 68-36 lead into the half.

According to the NBA, the margin of victory was the largest for Game 1 of a playoff series in league history.

THUNDER TAKE GAME 1 AT HOME

It's the largest margin of victory in a Game 1 in playoff history. #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/7DH8meBm2g
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025

The Thunder also set a franchise record with 37 assists in the game. That easily bested the previous high of 29.

While the Thunder are a heavy favorite to win the Western Conference, very few people expected the type of blowout that we saw on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a rough start and had just nine points on 2-of-10 shooting in the first half. He finished with only 15 points, but Oklahoma City was relentless on defense and got production from other players.

One game does not decide a playoff series, but the Grizzlies cannot be feeling very confident after that performance. They looked overmatched in every phase of the game.

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

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