What's happened
The Memphis Grizzlies faced a record-setting 51-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their playoff series. Ja Morant expressed confidence that such a performance would not happen again, while interim coach Tuomas Iisalo emphasized the need to learn from the defeat. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday.
What's behind the headline?
Key Takeaways
- Historic Loss: Memphis' 51-point defeat is the largest margin in a Game 1 playoff history, underscoring the severity of their performance.
- Player Reactions: Ja Morant's assertion that they will 'never play that bad again' reflects a determination to rebound, but the team must address their shooting struggles, as they shot only 34.4% overall.
- Thunder's Dominance: Oklahoma City showcased their strength, with a league-best regular-season record of 68-14, and their ability to dominate without playing starters in the fourth quarter.
- Coaching Dynamics: This was Memphis' first playoff game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who will need to quickly adapt strategies to improve team performance moving forward.
- Next Steps: The Grizzlies must focus on Game 2 to regain momentum in the series, as they still have opportunities to compete despite the heavy loss.
What the papers say
According to the New York Post, the Grizzlies' loss was the fifth-largest margin in NBA playoff history, with interim coach Tuomas Iisalo stating, 'there’s only one way from this, and that’s up.' Meanwhile, the Associated Press highlighted the Thunder's strong performance, noting that they shot 50.5% from the field despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring only 15 points. The Commercial Appeal quoted Desmond Bane, who emphasized that the series is still in its early stages, saying, 'At the end of the day, it’s one game.' This sentiment reflects a broader understanding within the team that they can recover from this setback.
How we got here
The Grizzlies entered the playoffs with high expectations but suffered a significant setback in their first game against the top-seeded Thunder. This loss marks the worst in franchise playoff history and highlights the challenges Memphis faces in the postseason.
Go deeper
- What strategies will the Grizzlies use in Game 2?
- How did the Thunder prepare for this playoff series?
- What are the historical implications of this loss?
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Tuomas Iisalo (born 29 July 1982) is a Finnish professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He previously served as an assistant coach of the Grizzlies under Taylor Jenkins.
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Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association.
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The Memphis Grizzlies are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division.
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Oklahoma City, officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.
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