If you just looked at the box score from January 9, 2026, you’d see a 117-116 win for Oklahoma City. It looks like a typical nail-biter. But if you actually watched those final four minutes at the FedExForum, you saw something else entirely.
The Thunder were dead. Basically.
They were down 21 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren weren't even on the floor due to rest and minor knocks. Most teams pack it up. Instead, OKC uncorked a 14-2 run to close the game, snatching a win that honestly felt like a fever dream for Memphis fans. This is the reality of OKC Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies matches lately. It’s a lopsided affair that shouldn’t be this lopsided.
The 16-Game Curse: Why Memphis Can't Buy a Win
Numbers don't lie, but they can be pretty mean.
Oklahoma City has now won 16 straight games against the Grizzlies. Think about that. The last time Memphis actually beat the Thunder was December 7, 2022. To put that in perspective, the NBA landscape has shifted about four times since then. We've seen a 4-0 playoff sweep in the 2025 Western Conference First Round where OKC didn't just win—they embarrassed them. Game 1 of that series ended 131-80.
A 51-point playoff loss.
It’s a psychological wall. Every time these two squads meet, the Grizzlies seem to play with a "here we go again" cloud over their heads. Even when they’re up big, like that 21-point lead in their most recent matchup, they can't seem to close the door.
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Recent Match History (2025-2026 Season)
- January 9, 2026: OKC 117, MEM 116 (The "No-Star" Comeback)
- December 22, 2025: OKC 119, MEM 103 (SGA went for 31/10/8)
- November 9, 2025: OKC 114, MEM 100 (Chet Holmgren dominates the paint)
Shai vs. Ja: The Rivalry That Was Supposed to Happen
We were promised a decade of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant going toe-to-toe for Western Conference supremacy.
Sorta hasn't happened.
While Shai has ascended into the "perennial MVP candidate" tier—averaging 31.6 points and leading the Thunder to a 32-7 start this season—Ja Morant has struggled with availability. This year, Morant is averaging about 19 points and 7.6 assists, but he’s missed significant time, including the last six games.
When they do play, the contrast is wild. Shai is all rhythm, footwork, and mid-range precision. He plays like he’s moving in slow motion while everyone else is sprinting. Morant is a human pogo stick, all north-south aggression and rim pressure.
But the "Tale of the Tape" is currently leaning heavily toward the 405. Shai’s True Shooting percentage sits at a staggering 66.8% compared to Ja's 50.6% this season. It’s not just about the highlight dunks anymore; it’s about who can actually put the ball in the hoop efficiently. Right now, that’s Shai.
The Ghost of the 73-Point Blowout
You can't talk about OKC Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies matches without mentioning the 152-79 game from 2021.
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Memphis fans still hold onto that. It was the largest margin of victory in NBA history. 73 points. It was an anomaly, a night where every Grizzlies bench player looked like Steph Curry and the Thunder looked like a high school JV squad.
Ironically, that game might have been the best thing to happen to Oklahoma City.
It was the rock bottom that fueled the current rebuild. Since that 73-point drubbing, the Thunder have gone 15-4 against the Grizzlies. They took that embarrassment and turned it into a cold, calculated dominance. It’s like they decided they’d never be the punchline of a joke again.
Beyond the Stars: The Depth Factor
The reason OKC keeps winning these games—even when their stars sit out—is their "next man up" culture.
Take Ajay Mitchell. Not a household name for casual fans, right? He’s been averaging 14.2 points lately and was a huge reason for the January comeback. Then you have Cason Wallace, who is quietly leading the league in steals at 2.2 per game.
Memphis has the talent, especially with Jaren Jackson Jr. anchoring the defense, but their lineup has been a revolving door. They’ve had more than a dozen different starting lineups this season. It’s hard to build chemistry when your roster looks like a game of musical chairs.
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Strategic Nuance: The Small-Ball Problem
The Grizzlies love to play physical. JJJ is a shot-blocking monster.
However, the Thunder’s "positionless" basketball creates a nightmare for Memphis. When Chet Holmgren (averaging 17.9 PPG and 8.4 RPG) pulls Jaren Jackson Jr. out to the three-point line, the paint is wide open. The Grizzlies' defense, which usually ranks in the top 10, falls apart because they're forced to guard 25 feet from the basket.
In their last meeting, the Thunder outscored Memphis in the paint despite being the "smaller" team. They used speed and cutting to negate the Grizzlies' size.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
The two teams meet again soon, and the stakes are different now. Memphis is fighting for a play-in spot (currently 9th in the West at 16-22), while the Thunder are trying to hold off the field for the #1 seed.
- The Health of Ja Morant: If he’s back, the Grizzlies have a puncher’s chance. Without him, they lack the creation needed to break down OKC's top-ranked defense (106.8 defensive rating).
- The Fatigue Factor: The Thunder are on pace for a historic regular season. At some point, the "championship or bust" pressure might lead to more rest days for SGA and Chet.
- Jalen Williams' Growth: "J-Dub" is arguably the second-best player in this rivalry now. His ability to facilitate (5.7 assists) while scoring 17.2 points makes him a matchup nightmare for the Grizzlies' wings.
Honestly, the Grizzlies need a win just for their own sanity. Losing 17 straight to a division rival is the kind of thing that gets coaches fired and front offices overhauled.
If you're betting or just watching for fun, don't let a double-digit lead for Memphis fool you. We’ve seen this movie before. The Thunder have a way of hanging around, waiting for the Grizzlies to blink, and then striking with a barrage of threes and transition layups.
Keep an eye on the injury report. If Mark Daigneault decides to play his full squad, the Grizzlies are going to need a career night from Desmond Bane or JJJ just to keep it within ten. The gap between these two franchises has never been wider than it is in 2026.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the spread early: The Thunder often cover against Memphis because the books still undervalue the Grizzlies' "mental block" against this specific opponent.
- Watch the fourth quarter: Regardless of the score at halftime, these matches are decided in the final 6 minutes when OKC’s conditioning and depth take over.
- Follow the Cason Wallace matchup: If he’s guarding Morant or Bane, expect high turnover numbers for Memphis.