Oklahoma City Thunder astonishingly turn a mammoth 29-point deficit into victory, snatching a 3-0 series lead from Grizzlies following Ja Morant's injury exit.
Alright, let's break down the thrilling Game 3 of the first-round playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the injury-ridden Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies faced a brutal blow as their talismanic guard, Ja Morant, sustained a hip contusion after an unlucky fall. This unfortunate event occurred when Luguentz Dort of the Thunder fouled Morant during a fast break attempt. Morant missed his free throws before heading to the locker room and later appeared on crutches during the match.
Iisalo, the Grizzlies' interim head coach, confirmed that Morant will miss Game 4 due to further evaluations. The No. 2 draft pick in 2019 unfortunately had a season marred by injuries and managed to play in only 50 out of 82 games 1[4].
The Thunder, who trailed by 26 points at halftime, fiercely stormed back with the biggest second-half comeback in NBA playoff history, clinching the game with a score of 114-108 and securing a 3-0 lead in the series 3[4].
The MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, dominated with a game-high 31 points. Jalen Williams, another standout player, added 26 points, while Chet Holmgren showed his worth with 23 points in the second half 3.
Holmgren praised his coach, Mark Daigneault, for trusting him with crucial plays despite his subpar performance in the first half, boosting the Thunder's morale [4].
In Morant's absence, Scotty Pippin Jr. took charge for the Grizzlies, scoring a team-high 28 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points 3. Though their efforts were commendable, falling short against the Thunder means the Grizzlies are now facing elimination.
With Morant out, the Grizzlies will need strong performances from their secondary players such as Luke Kennard and Desmond Bane to extend their season 13[4]. It's going to be a fierce battle we won't want to miss!
[4]: https://www.espn.com/nba/ game/_/gameId/401413156
The Thunder's Luguentz Dort played a significant role in Morant's hip contusion during Game 3 of the playoffs. In his absence, the Grizzlies will likely rely on secondary players like Luke Kennard and Desmond Bane to influence the trajectory of the series. Despite their impressive efforts, the Grizzlies currently face elimination after a 114-108 loss to the Thunder, with star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recording a game-high 31 points. The NBA looks forward to the subsequent games, with Morant's recovery and the warriors of the Thunder prepared to continue their impressive performance.
