After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s last performance with OKC it was time, at least for one day, to lower the piston. He arrived at a team fiefdom with capital letters, like these Grizzly, and the production of the Canadian player suffered: only a 33% success rate. With the 121-110 this Friday evening the Thunder They take a small step back, as they could not fight this victory as they would have liked, but they saved a bullet that fell on their opponents: holding their breath due to the injury of one of their best players. Ja Morant left the field with 3:06 to go and will undergo a medical to confirm the exact condition and extent of the sprained left ankle in a chance collision with Lu Dort as he instinctively backed away after throwing a bomb towards the ring. The franchise did not provide more information on the situation of the star player, who had not had his most successful day: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists and, when the problem came, 5/20 shooting.
The Thunder were just six in, having suffered through inconsistency all night, when Morant retired from the game. And another additional basket by Josh Giddey (20+10) made them dream. The Australian missed the free kick, John Konchar (19+10) immediately scored a three-pointer and Brooks and Jones also added for the Grizzlies. Missed opportunity for visitors, bound by locals.
Once again it was a day for Santi Aldama, the Spaniard who stands out at the start of the NBA season, to readjust his role. Jaren Jackson returned and in this game, moreover, was the most outstanding of his team: 25 points in 25 minutes. The power forward, however, was not in the decisive moments and had no problems with fouls. Aldama was able to participate personally in the minutes in which the result was decided and finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds in the personal area. With Bane gone in anticipation of what will happen with Morant, and taking into account what Jackson said, there are days for Taylor Jenkins and her personal try different alignments and situations while dealing, in the same way, moments like the playoffs.
The Grizzlies had a game to review even though they later took it away. Jackson appears to be in good shape, citing two powerful dunks in the second quarter as an example, but the home team was saved only by a small mistake by the opponent and increased ability to fight tight ends. And the free throws, yes: many from Memphis (29/40) and few from Oklahoma (9/11). With all this, it was worth it.