Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Stats Tonight: How did the Thunder superstar fare against Memphis Grizzlies? (Mar. 5)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder visited the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The MVP frontrunner hoped to carry his team to a victory and secure the season series against Ja Morant and Co. SGA led his team to a 125-112 win in Memphis the last time the rivals squared off.
The Thunder All-Star had an entertaining duel against Morant in the first quarter. The seesaw battle between the explosive point guards highlighted the opening frame of the third Thunder-Grizzlies meeting. SGA finished the quarter with 14 points and three assists while the Grizzlies star responded with eight points, two assists and one rebound.
The sizzling SGA-Morant duel fizzled in the second quarter. Oklahoma's superstar finished the first half with 17 points and five assists to help his team to a 61-55 halftime lead. Jalen Williams picked up the slack for the Thunder to end the second quarter with seven points and three assists.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kept the OKC Thunder in the driver's seat in the third quarter by dropping 15 points with an assist. Oklahoma won the quarter 30-23 to lead 91-78 entering the fourth quarter.
The Thunder All-Star helped keep the Memphis Grizzlies at bay in the final quarter with nine points and two assists. SGA's 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining extended the lead to 118-99. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault sent him to the bench as Oklahoma recorded a 120-103 win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the OKC Thunder to another double-digit win over the Memphis Grizzlies
The first meeting in late December between the OKC Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies ended in a 130-106 win for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates. Memphis performed better in the rematch, but the Thunder emerged with a 125-112 victory. In the series-clinching win on Wednesday, the Grizzlies gamely fought before succumbing to a 120-103 loss.
SGA has been the biggest reason the Thunder own three double-digit wins against the Grizzlies. The former LA Clippers star is averaging 36.0 points, 7.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.0 steals when facing Memphis. SGA is hitting 51.4% of his shots, including 46.7% from deep.
The Thunder and the Grizzlies face each other again on Mar. 27. Oklahoma could end up with another dominant win if Memphis can't find a way to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.