Best images from the Thunder’s 115-109 win over the Grizzlies
The Oklahoma City Thunder surprised the NBA world on Saturday by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in a game that wasn’t really that close with a 115-109 final score.
The Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. Instead, in their place were Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe — who combined for 47 points on 15-of-26 shooting.
The momentum was fully in the Thunder’s way after Ja Morant received a controversial second technical foul that ejected him from the game in the second quarter.
Afterwards, the Grizzlies made a run but a 21-point first-half lead provided the Thunder enough cushion to leave the game victorious.
Here are the best photos from the Thunder’s surprising six-point win over the No. 1 seed Grizzlies.
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives around Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar (46) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann (23) shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams (8) defends during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) drives to the basket ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) gets a hug from the Oklahoma City Thunder Mascot following their game at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) gestures after an officials call following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) high fives fans following a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (33), guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (50) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) watch their team play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoes during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault gestures to his team on a play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) looks to pass the ball around Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar (46) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams (34) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) smiles after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) talks with Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward David Roddy (27) celebrates after scoring against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoes during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) on a drive during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams (34) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Mike Muscala (33) shoes during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) reacts after missing a shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar (46) shoes during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) drives to the basket between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) and forward Eugene Omoruyi (97) during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) talks with Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins is upset with an officials call following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Fans looks confused after Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) is ejected during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) points to fans before being ejected from the game following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins is upset with an officials call following a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6), guard Tre Mann (23) and Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) fight for a rebound during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) celebrates after a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) shoes during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) passes the ball over Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski (17) dribbles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watches his team play against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Story originally appeared on Thunder Wire