The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-7, 1st in Western Conference) travel for a Western Conference showdown with the Memphis Grizzlies (16-21, 10th in West) on Friday (8 ET).
Here are three key storylines to know for tonight’s game.
- Jalen Williams trying to find his rhythm: In 2024-25, Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals across 69 outings as the Robin to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Batman. Those numbers represent career highs for the fourth-year swingman, and he earned his first All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defensive awards while playing a pivotal role in OKC’s championship run. Following offseason wrist surgery on his shooting hand, Williams missed the first 19 games of the 2025-26 season. Through his first 19 appearances for the Thunder, the UC Santa Clara product is putting up 17.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 5.5 apg on 46.0% shooting overall and 30.2% from 3-point range (career-lows from an efficiency standpoint). Over his last nine outings, Williams is averaging 16.0 ppg on 46.0 / 22.7 / 78.1 splits in 30.6 minutes, with OKC going 5-4 during that stretch. More reps and time on the court should have the 24-year-old playing into form, and a matchup versus a Grizzlies squad he dropped 24 points (10-20 FG) against in a 119-103 win on Dec. 22 will certainly help.
- OKC’s dominant run over Memphis: The Thunder have only lost 21 regular-season contests over the past season and a half, but they’re currently in the midst of a 15-game win streak versus the Grizzlies dating back to the 2022-23 campaign. That includes a commanding four-game sweep against Memphis in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, and Oklahoma City’s two victories in ‘25-’26 were by a combined 30 points. OKC’s most recent defeat to the Grizz came on Dec. 7, 2022, on the road, powered by a 26-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple-double from Ja Morant. Could tonight be the time for Memphis to buck this trend?
- Grizzlies searching for answers: After a 9-4 stretch from Nov. 26 to Dec. 26 brought their record to 15-16, Memphis is 1-5 over its last six games. Morant (calf), who’s missed the last three contests, will not play. Additionally, promising rookie Cedric Coward (ankle) is questionable after an ankle injury that sidelined him for the last two games. Coward, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has averaged 14.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 40.9% shooting while knocking down 50.0% of his 3s in two appearances against the Thunder. With Morant out, pay close attention to second-year guard Cam Spencer running the point. The 2024 second-rounder is averaging 12.1 ppg, 5.0 apg and 0.8 spg on stellar shooting splits of 48.6 / 47.3 / 91.3 in 23.6 minutes a night.
