Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Apr 23, 7:30 AM)
Standings: Seed 1 vs. Seed 8
Regular Season Series: OKC wins 4-0
Playoff Series: OKC leads 1-0
Key Insights:
The Thunder have emerged as one of the most complete teams in the league, finishing third in offensive rating (119.2) while leading in defensive rating (106.6). With 54 double-digit wins and a commanding 4-0 sweep of Memphis during the regular season—winning by nearly 19 points per game, OKC enters this series with undeniable momentum. They also lead the league in steals and rank second in blocks, emphasizing their dominance on both ends.
Memphis, despite the lopsided record, remains a potent offensive team, ranking sixth in offensive rating (117.2), second in scoring (121.7 PPG), and second in rebounding (47.3 RPG). But without a healthy Ja Morant and consistent production, they’ll need big performances to stay in the series.
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Players to Watch:
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA showed a bit of rust after an 11-day rest but remains elite. He led the league in scoring this season and had a streak of 72 consecutive games with 20+ points before the playoffs. His ability to generate offense and impact the game at both ends makes him a top-tier fantasy pick.
Jalen Williams
JDub has been a consistent two-way threat all year, ranking seventh in both points and assists, and third in steals. His versatility gives OKC multiple offensive options and defensive stability.
Chet Holmgren
Chet continues to shine in his first playoff run. His mix of perimeter shooting and elite rim protection makes him one of the most productive frontcourt players, averaging 2.5 blocks over his last 10 postseason games and notching multiple double-digit scoring and rebounding games.
Isaiah Hartenstein
Hartenstein is enjoying a career year, averaging a double-double and consistently delivering “stocks” (steals + blocks). His presence off the bench or as a secondary big gives OKC additional rim protection and hustle stats.
Aaron Wiggins
A Memphis killer this season, Wiggins has scored 16+ points in all three matchups, including a 25-point double-double with eight threes. He’s a sneaky-good value pick if you’re looking for upside on the wing.
Memphis Grizzlies
Desmond Bane
Bane has posted at least 22 points in five of his last six and continues to offer solid peripherals. He’s been productive against OKC this year, and the Grizzlies will need his scoring and rebounding to compete.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
JJJ struggled with OKC’s length in Game 1, but his offensive upside remains strong. He’s had decent all-around numbers in previous meetings with the Thunder and is a strong bounce-back candidate for Game 2.
Ja Morant
Still recovering from an ankle injury, Ja didn’t look 100% in Game 1. He’s struggled against OKC this season but is still Memphis’ most dangerous scorer, with 20+ points in 19 straight games prior to the playoffs.
Zach Edey
OKC has trouble limiting rebounds, and that’s where Edey thrives. He’s averaged 15 rebounds in his last eight games and could be a difference-maker on the glass if he stays out of foul trouble.
Scottie Pippen Jr.
Pippen became a key piece off the bench in March, scoring 28+ fantasy points in 11 games. He remains a core part of the second unit and should be better in Game 2 after a quiet opener.
DFS Tip:
SGA is a must-start with elite scoring and two-way consistency. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren offer strong multi-category value, while Wiggins and Hartenstein provide sneaky upside at a low cost. For Memphis, Bane is the safest pick, with JJJ and Pippen Jr. offering bounce-back potential. Edey is a strong high-rebound value target if you’re betting on an interior-heavy game.
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