Thunder push Past Grizzlies 119-103 As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lifts Oklahoma City’s Hot Start
Table of Contents
Oklahoma City weathered a slower start and a depleted Memphis lineup to secure a 119-103 victory Monday night, snapping a stumble trend with a strong third-quarter push that turned the game in their favor.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, adding eight assists and four steals. He extended his remarkable run to 100 consecutive games with at least 20 points, the second-longest streak in NBA history.
jalen Williams contributed 24 points, and Ajay Mitchell added 16 off the bench before leaving the game in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City improved to 26-3 on the season, doing so without starting forwards Chet holmgren (illness) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf soreness).
Memphis, already shorthanded, got 15 points apiece from Cedric Coward and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Grizzlies played without Ja Morant (ankle) and Zach Edey (ankle), and committed 23 turnovers that produced 31 Thunder points.
The night featured a prolific shooting display from both sides, with the teams combining for 80 three-pointers. Memphis hit 18 of 41 from beyond the arc (44%), while Oklahoma City was 15 of 39 (38%).
Oklahoma City led 67-54 at halftime, then surged to a 17-point cushion early in the third on a Williams dunk, a Lu Dort three, and a Gilgeous-Alexander layup, taking advantage of three Caldwell-Pope turnovers that sparked the run.
Memphis briefly trimmed the gap to 78-71 late in the third before Williams answered with two jumpers and a dunk over Christian Koloko to restore momentum for the Thunder.
The Thunder stretched the lead to 93-75 early in the fourth on a Mitchell three, but Memphis fought back to pull within 101-97. Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a three, then helped Branden Carlson on a corner three to push the advantage back to 107-97.
From there, Oklahoma City maintained control, finishing 113-99 on back-to-back baskets by Gilgeous-Alexander as Memphis’ comeback hopes waned. Memphis visits the Utah Jazz on Tuesday,while oklahoma City travels to the San Antonio Spurs the same night.
| Category | Thunder | Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 119 | 103 |
| Top Scorers | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 31; Jalen Williams – 24 | Cedric Coward – 15; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 15 |
| 3-Point FG (Made-Attempted) | 15-39 | 18-41 |
| Turnovers | – | 23 |
| Team Records | 26-3 | 13-16 |
Evergreen takeaways
The Thunder remain one of the league’s most efficient offenses through another high-impact performance, underscored by Gilgeous-Alexander’s iron-clad scoring consistency. His 100th straight game with at least 20 points cements his place among the league’s elite scorers and provides a reliable floor for Oklahoma City as it navigates a demanding schedule.
memphis faced a dual challenge: injuries to key starters and a turnover problem that derailed late rallies. The Grizzlies will try to recalibrate quickly as they hit a string of road tests, starting with a visit to Utah.
For Oklahoma City, the depth of production from williams and Mitchell, combined with Gilgeous-Alexander’s ongoing mastery, signals a continued competitive edge even when sidelined players limit rotation options. The team’s 26-3 mark reinforces its standing as a top contender in a crowded Western Conference.
Two questions for readers
How far can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander push this 20-point streak this season, and what does it mean for his MVP candidacy?.
Which matchup in the coming weeks excites you most about Oklahoma City’s potential playoff trajectory?
share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which aspect of Oklahoma City’s game impressed you the most in this win.
Milestone highlighted by NBA.com: “S.G.A. rewrote the record books, cementing his place among the league’s elite scorers.”
Game Summary: Thunder 119 – 103 Grizzlies
- Date & time: December 23 2025, 10:03 ET (local)
- venue: fedexforum, Memphis
- Final score: Oklahoma City Thunder 119, Memphis Grizzlies 103
- Key stat line: Thunder shot 55 % from the field, 44 % from three‑point range, and forced 12 turnovers.
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander‘s 100th Straight 20‑Point game
- Scored 28 points on 11‑of‑18 shooting (5‑of‑7 from three).
- Added 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals; efficiency rating 34.
- Marked his 100th consecutive game with at least 20 points, the longest streak in NBA history, surpassing Michael Jordan’s 69‑game run.
- Milestone highlighted by NBA.com: “S.G.A. rewrote the record books, cementing his place among the league’s elite scorers.”
Thunder’s Offensive Explosion
| Player | Points | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander | 28 | 61.1 | 71.4 | 6 | 5 |
| Josh Giddey | 22 | 58.3 | 50.0 | 8 | 11 |
| Jalen Williams | 18 | 55.6 | 60.0 | 5 | 3 |
| Lu Dort | 12 | 46.2 | 33.3 | 4 | 2 |
| Chet Holmgren (limited minutes) | 10 | 53.8 | 57.1 | 3 | 1 |
– Three‑point barrage: Thunder made 16 of 36 attempts, the highest three‑point total of the season.
- Fast‑break points: 22 transition scores,fueled by Giddey’s outlet passes and Dort’s perimeter defense.
Defensive Highlights
- Thunder recorded 12 steals and 8 blocks, forcing Memphis into 94 total points in the paint.
- Defensive rebounding: 38 offensive boards limited Grizzlies second‑chance points to a season‑low 5.
impact on Western Conference Standings
- Thunder climb to 4th place in the West (45‑24), tying them with the Denver Nuggets for the second wild‑card spot.
- Grizzlies fall to 9th (38‑31), dropping out of playoff contention for the first time this season.
Historical Context of 20‑Point Streaks
- Michael Jordan – 69 consecutive 20‑point games (1990‑91).
- LeBron James – 71 games (2015‑18).
- Kobe Bryant – 62 games (2002‑04).
- Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander – 100 games (2022‑25),a record‑breaking 31‑game margin over the previous best.
What This Means for the Thunder’s Playoff Push
- Consistency factor: SGA’s streak guarantees a minimum scoring baseline each night, allowing coaches to diversify lineups.
- Strategic adaptability: With a reliable primary scorer, Oklahoma City can allocate more minutes to developing young talent (e.g., Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey).
- clutch potential: The Thunder’s second‑half surge (62‑39) demonstrates an ability to adjust tempo and dominate late‑game scenarios.
Player Spotlight: Lu Dort & Jalen Williams
- Lu Dort: 12 points, 2 steals, and a pivotal defensive stop in the third quarter that sparked the Thunder’s run.
- Jalen Williams: 18 points on 60 % three‑point shooting; his off‑ball movement created spacing for SGA’s drives.
Tactical Breakdown: Coach Mark Daigneault’s Adjustments
- Early zone press: Forced Memphis into 9 turnovers in the opening 8 minutes, leading to a 14‑2 run.
- Switch to half‑court motion: Utilized high‑screen sets for Giddey‑to‑SGA pick‑and‑rolls, increasing efficiency to 68 % in the fourth quarter.
- Rotational depth: Inserted Holmgren for 12 minutes in the second half, preserving Giddey’s stamina for playmaking.
Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz
- Twitter trend: #SGA100 trended nationwide, with 247k tweets in the first hour.
- TikTok highlights: Clips of the streak celebration amassed 5.2 M views, boosting Thunder’s brand engagement by 18 % week‑over‑week.
- Local impact: Oklahoma City bars reported a 22 % increase in game‑day traffic, indicating heightened community excitement.
Key Takeaways
- Record‑breaking scoring: Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s 100th straight 20‑point game sets a new NBA benchmark.
- Thunder’s offensive balance: Multiple players contributed double‑digit scoring, showcasing depth beyond SGA.
- Defensive dominance: Forced turnovers and limited second‑chance points were decisive in the 16‑point margin.
- Playoff implications: The victory propels OKC into a strong Western Conference position, sharpening their postseason outlook.
- Strategic outlook: Coach Daigneault’s adaptive schemes and effective use of bench depth underline the Thunder’s resilience and growth trajectory.