Quick Read
- Thunder beat Grizzlies 119-103, securing their 14th straight home win—a franchise record.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, marking his 100th straight game with 20+ points.
- Despite missing key big men, OKC matched Memphis on rebounds and forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 25 points.
Thunder Set Franchise Record in Home Win Over Grizzlies
On December 22, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their home dominance, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 119-103 at Paycom Center and tying a franchise record with their 14th consecutive home victory. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC now stands as the only NBA team undefeated at home this season, boasting a 26-3 record overall. This win also marked the Thunder’s 11th straight triumph against Memphis, further cementing their superiority in the series. The Oklahoman, Commercial Appeal
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Consistency Drives OKC
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, delivered another masterclass performance, nearly registering a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in 36 minutes of play. His fourth quarter surge, scoring 12 of his points, was pivotal in shutting down any hopes of a Grizzlies comeback. Notably, this game marked SGA’s 100th consecutive contest with at least 20 points, a feat matched only by Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his star’s relentless consistency: “He is ruthlessly consistent in the invisible spaces that I see and that you guys don’t. He’s chiseled himself into this player.” The Oklahoman
Gilgeous-Alexander’s flair wasn’t limited to stats. In one memorable play, he froze Olivier-Maxence Prosper with a pump fake, spun, and tipped the ball off the backboard to himself, before calmly kicking it out for a Brendan Carlson three-pointer. Even his teammates were left in awe at the creativity and confidence on display.
Resilience Despite Missing Key Players
OKC was down eight players, including big men Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams, yet managed to hold their own in the paint. The Thunder matched Memphis on rebounds (46 each) and made up for their size disadvantage by gang-rebounding and hustling on defense. Second-year forward Branden Carlson stepped up, contributing 11 points and 3 rebounds, filling in critical minutes usually held by the team’s absent bigs. Coach Daigneault credited the team’s ability to “scrap and fly around, got our hands on the ball and gang-rebounded.” The Oklahoman
Thunder’s Depth and Defensive Grit Shine
Jalen Williams was instrumental in building and maintaining OKC’s lead, scoring 24 points and grabbing six rebounds. His timely buckets late in the third quarter stifled a Memphis rally, while back-to-back scores with SGA in the fourth quarter sealed the win. Meanwhile, Kenrich Williams, in just his ninth game of the season, played his most complete game yet, notching 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. Williams energized the team with key defensive plays and momentum-shifting three-pointers, living up to his “Kenny Hustle” nickname. The Oklahoman
OKC’s perimeter defense, anchored by Lu Dort and Cason Wallace, helped force 22 Memphis turnovers, which translated into 25 points for the Thunder. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots kept the Grizzlies from gaining any sustained offensive rhythm.
Grizzlies’ Struggles Continue Despite Strong Shooting
The Grizzlies, missing star Ja Morant and several rotation players due to injuries, put up a fight with high-level shot-making, particularly from beyond the arc. Memphis sank 18 three-pointers—its second-most this season—with six players making multiple threes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cedric Coward led the scoring for Memphis with 16 points each, while Jock Landale recorded his third double-double of the season. Commercial Appeal
Despite these efforts, Memphis’s 22 turnovers and inability to fully capitalize on OKC’s missing big men proved costly. The Grizzlies closed the gap to 101-97 with just under six minutes left, but Oklahoma City responded with an 18-6 run to close out the game.
Statistical Highlights and Betting Trends
- Final Score: Thunder 119, Grizzlies 103
- Thunder: 14th straight home win (franchise record)
- SGA: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
- Jalen Williams: 24 points, 6 rebounds
- Kenrich Williams: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
- Memphis: 18 made 3-pointers, 22 turnovers
- Thunder forced 20 turnovers, converting to 25 points
- Rebounds: 46 each
According to betting trends, the Thunder have hit the moneyline in 63 of their last 76 games, underscoring their reliability as favorites. The spread favored OKC by 15.5 points, and they covered comfortably. Yahoo Sports
Injury Report and Team Outlook
Both teams were impacted by injuries. The Thunder were missing Alex Caruso, Ousmane Dieng, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topić, and Jaylin Williams, while the Grizzlies were without Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, John Konchar, Ja Morant, Scotty Pippen Jr., Javon Small, and Vince Williams Jr. These absences forced both coaches to adjust rotations and rely on bench depth.
Looking ahead, the Thunder’s home dominance and the consistency of their stars position them as legitimate contenders. For Memphis, the challenge remains to overcome injuries and reduce turnovers to end their losing streak against OKC.
The Thunder’s ability to win convincingly despite a depleted roster speaks to their depth, discipline, and star power. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s relentless excellence continues to set the tone, while the team’s defensive grit and bench contributions underscore why OKC is a force in the West. Memphis, though resilient and dangerous from deep, must address ball security and health to turn the tide in this lopsided series.