OKC Thunder blow out Memphis Grizzlies 128-97 in NBA Cup play

OKC Thunder Blows Out Memphis Grizzlies 128-97 in NBA Cup Play

The Oklahoma City Thunder rolled to a 128-97 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, capturing a wire-to-wire win on the first night of a back-to-back in NBA Cup play. The win marks the third straight victory for Oklahoma City, pushing their record to 7-2 and keeping them firmly in the top four of the Western Conference standings. The team bounced back from recent losses against the Mavericks and the Rockets, leaning on a high-scoring guard trio and an aggressive defensive effort.

Oklahoma City’s starting guard trio set the tone early by combining for 84 total points against the Grizzlies. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points, shooting 50 percent from the floor, 60 percent from three-point range, and 100 percent from the free-throw line, while adding four assists, one steal, and one block. Ajay Mitchell delivered a standout performance, igniting the offense for 35 points on high efficiency by getting downhill and pulling up against the Memphis defense. Jared McCain shook off a cold spell to contribute 21 points, hitting three of eight shots from beyond the arc.

OKC Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies | Game Highlights | November 6, 2026

Interior and Perimeter Defense Stifles Memphis Offense

Despite missing as many as three All-Defense members in Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Cason Wallace, the Thunder defense held Memphis to just 97 points. Oklahoma City utilized interior anchors Isaiah Hartenstein and Aday Mara alongside perimeter defenders Josh Dix, Ajay Mitchell, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to disrupt opposing possessions. The team relied on its patented defensive avalanche to stifle scorers and turn stops into transition offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Grizzlies struggled with offensive execution and poor shooting splits across the board. Ty Jerome provided stability as the team’s lone shot-maker and playmaker, but his supporting cast failed to find a rhythm. Rookie Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, faced heavy resistance from Isaiah Hartenstein, Aday Mara, and Alex Caruso, finishing the night shooting 2-for-14 from the field. The Grizzlies bench unit also sputtered, contributing to a team-wide shooting mark of 32 percent from the floor and just 22 percent from three-point range.