NBA · GAME DAY
Oklahoma City ThunderAWAY
Memphis GrizzliesHOMEScheduled · Official game details ↗
NBA · GAME PRIMER
One game. Four ways in. Choose your read; the full primer adds the stories behind the headlines.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 42 in Oklahoma City’s win over Cleveland. Memphis has lost twice after a 6–0 start, with 53 turnovers across its last three games. Watch the Grizzlies’ next pass under pressure. Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Wallace remain out; Memphis is without Pippen and Stewart at 3 p.m. ET.
Oklahoma City beat Cleveland 124–116 with 42 points from Gilgeous-Alexander, 23 from Ajay Mitchell and 16 from Stirtz. Memphis lost 107–103 to Indiana despite 23 apiece from Coward and Jerome. The Grizzlies’ recent 53-turnover total makes possession security a central viewing point.
The Thunder remain without Holmgren, both Jalen and Jaylin Williams, Wallace, Topic and Sorber; Memphis lists Pippen and Stewart out on the 3 p.m. ET report. Watch the help around the headline scorer and whether Memphis keeps its own offense intact.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 42 points and eight assists against Cleveland.
Memphis has committed 53 turnovers across its last three games, according to the official preview.
Ajay Mitchell scored 23; Stirtz added 16 with four threes in Oklahoma City’s latest win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just put 42 points and eight assists into a win over Cleveland. Memphis has a different number demanding attention: 53 turnovers across its last three games, according to the official preview.
The Thunder won 124–116 Wednesday. The Grizzlies lost 107–103 to Indiana, their second defeat after a 6–0 start. Before Memphis can worry about matching Shai’s scoring, it needs to make its own possessions count.
Gilgeous-Alexander made five threes and 15 free throws against Cleveland. Ajay Mitchell supplied 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Oklahoma City’s leading scorer had meaningful help.
Memphis got 23 apiece from Cedric Coward and Ty Jerome against Indiana. Coward added nine rebounds and four steals. Watch whether those productive moments are followed by a controlled possession or an avoidable giveaway.
Oklahoma City lists Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Wallace, Jaylin Williams, Topic and Sorber out on the 3 p.m. ET report. Memphis lists Pippen and Stewart out.
That makes the contributions of the available players more than background detail. Do not mentally fill a defensive gap with a familiar name who is not available tonight.
Follow Memphis when the first passing lane disappears. The preview reports 66 opponent points from the Grizzlies’ 53 turnovers over three games. Those mistakes affect both ends: Memphis loses a chance and the opponent may get a simpler one.
A safer possession does not have to be passive. Watch whether the ball moves early enough that the receiver can attack before the defense is set.
Bennett Stirtz scored 16 and made four of seven threes against Cleveland. Isaiah Hartenstein collected 12 rebounds, supplied four assists and did not turn the ball over.
Those contributions explain why it is worth watching Oklahoma City after Gilgeous-Alexander gives up the ball. The teammate who completes the play can be as important as the player who first bends the defense.
Zach Edey gave Memphis 11 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks against Indiana. Cam Spencer had nine assists. The Grizzlies have evidence of useful work beyond their top scorers.
Our focus is connecting that work. A rebound needs a controlled outlet; a good pass needs a receiver ready to act. Memphis does not need every possession to be spectacular to make its offense harder to disrupt.
Which would help Memphis more: five extra points from a scorer or five fewer possessions lost? Keep that question in mind during an ordinary pass under pressure.
For Oklahoma City, pick a supporting player to follow for a few trips. Mitchell’s 23 points and Stirtz’s four threes are reminders that a 42-point headline is still a team result.
The November 6, 3 p.m. ET report lists Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber out for Oklahoma City. Memphis lists Scotty Pippen Jr. and Isaiah Stewart out. Source
Pregame snapshot; pending and uncertain availability is identified in the primer.
Manual editorial review: . This page does not update player availability automatically.