A historic game 1, a comfortable game 2. If the Thunder vs Grizzlies playoff series is anything to go by, OKC will have to break a sweat getting to the Western semis. The Grizzlies are so far out of their depth, it’s ridiculous. But what makes it scarier is the Thunder’s ability to dominate without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander popping off like he has this season. It really speaks volumes about Mark Daigneault’s band of champions-elect.
Shai had a slow game 1- it was probably his least tangible game of the season. But need any reminders of what his team could do without him? Never mind, just game 1. Over the course of 2 games (8 quarters), Memphis has won just 1 of those quarters. And after rewatching the last two episodes, OKC is all but sure to make it 3-0 tonight at the FedExForum. So will Shai and his partner in crime, Chet Holmgren, be available for the game?
Thunder injury report ahead of Grizzlies clash
There are no reports of Shai being injured for whatever reason, so he’s available for tonight. Despite that forgettable game 1, he turned up the heat in game 2 with a 27/8/5 showing, along with 2 steals. All-around game, mastered. He seems to have the majority having his back for his running as the season’s MVP. And even with his defensive capabilities, he has a championship-calibre defence just ready to sit back and watch the SGA masterclass run the league over to their second-ever championship. But OKC has proved time and time again that they don’t need SGA to perform to show their quality.
Chet Holmgren’s comeuppance this season has been one to watch. It seems as if the 10 weeks missed due to a right iliac wing fracture are just a fever dream. Once he came back in the squad on February 7th, he brought life back into the Thunder team, almost as if it wasn’t already there. That consistent string of games he’s amassed since his return has put the pin down on his reliability to play maximum time in maximum games. And he’s not on the injury report tonight either- so Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s partner in crime is available against Memphis too.
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
But it’s not all green at the Home of the Blues tonight for OKC. It’s been confirmed by Clemente Almanza of USA Today that forward Ousmane Dieng is out for Game 3 due to a calf injury. It’s not the worst thing in the world, though, as the 21-year-old had a limited role before the injury, averaging just 9.3 minutes over his last six appearances. But it’s a huge miss in terms of coach Daigneault’s rotational options.
Thunder expected lineup vs Grizzlies
So, Dieng is out. But he was never a part of their starting 5, so there are no changes there. Guard Nikola Topic has been out since mid-January; he’s out for the game, too. The lineup they fielded in the first two games got them unprecedented success and momentum. 1+1 = 2, so the Thunder can be expected to field an unchanged lineup for game 3, too. And on that note, let’s see what that lineup was:
Point Guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shooting Guard
Luguentz Dort
Power Forward
Chet Holmgren
Small Forward
Jalen Williams
Center
Isaiah Hartenstein
Despite their past misfortunes, the Grizzlies have shown their quality by even getting to the playoffs in the first place. The NBA is no stranger to underdog stories. You’d be a fool to think that they won’t go down without a fight. So, will Thunder strike thrice in Memphis, or will the Home of the Blues smack the OKC blues into seventh heaven?
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