The Memphis Grizzlies defied expectations to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs. After defeating the Dallas Mavericks on April 18 at FedExForum, they clinched the final playoff berth and will now face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
As heavy underdogs, the Grizzlies begin the series on the road, with Game 1 set for April 20 (noon CT, ABC). The Thunder, led by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a talented roster featuring first-time All-Star Jalen Williams, dominated the regular season, sweeping all four games against Memphis by double-digit margins. The Grizzlies are hampered by injuries, with Jaylen Wells and Brandon Clarke sidelined long-term and Ja Morant not fully recovered from an ankle sprain sustained during a play-in game against the Golden State Warriors.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a likely MVP candidate or runner-up, has been exceptional, guiding the Thunder to their second consecutive top seed in the Western Conference. He’s averaging 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, making him a formidable challenge for the Grizzlies.
Ja Morant suffered an ankle sprain on April 15 during the game against the Warriors after an awkward landing on Buddy Hield's foot. Though he returned to finish the game, it was evident he wasn’t at full strength.
He was listed as a game-time decision for the matchup with the Mavericks but came out strong, scoring 12 points in the opening quarter and managing to play the entire game—despite noticeable limping at times.
With only about a day and a half to recover before Game 1 versus the Thunder, a full recovery seems unlikely. However, unless there’s a setback, Morant is expected to suit up. His health and performance will be a major focus throughout the series, as the Grizzlies’ hopes largely hinge on him playing at his best.