The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a 4-0 sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies with a thrilling 117-115 win on Saturday, capping off a tumultuous season for Memphis.
The season took a dramatic turn with the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was let go with just nine games remaining.
Memphis also faced significant challenges heading into their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before the series even began, they had lost two key players to season-ending injuries: Brandon Clarke, who suffered a knee injury in March, and Jaylen Wells, who was sidelined with a broken wrist in April.
To make matters worse, star guard Ja Morant suffered a hip contusion during Game 3 after colliding with Thunder defender Lu Dort, which kept him out of Game 4. After the loss of Clarke and Wells, Morant’s absence proved too much for the Grizzlies to overcome.
“The season didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Desmond Bane said after Saturday’s loss. “We do have a strong sense of who we are and what we want to be. We didn’t win a game in a series, so we know we’ve still got a long way to go. We’re going to approach the offseason in that manner.”
Bane described the season as “unique,” succinctly capturing the Grizzlies’ rollercoaster experience.
They’re a good team,” Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. said of the Thunder after the series loss. “They were a good team for all these games, and we had a lot of chances, a lot of moments, especially in these last two games to capitalize on certain things.”
Jackson Jr. acknowledged that he needs to improve, and took responsibility for putting his team in position to succeed by making better plays, reducing turnovers, and performing better in the postseason.
The Thunder did a great job neutralizing Jackson Jr.’s offense. “I’m putting it on myself to continue to bring that to the team because they deserve to get the best version of me out there,” Jackson said. “They brought a lot of defensive pressure. I gotta be ready for that and be able to make adjustments. You gotta have the little things down playing a team like this.”
Jackson Jr. and Bane’s efforts to lead the Grizzlies to wins without Morant raises concerns about their ability to effectively complement him when he’s on the court in the postseason.
Jackson Jr.’s playoff performance, for example, was a step back from his regular season form. After averaging 22.2 points on 48.8% shooting during the regular season, he dropped to 16 points per game on 37.9% shooting in the playoffs.
Bane’s playoff performance was also a notable decline from his regular season form, particularly from beyond the arc, where he shot a dismal 21.9% compared to his regular season mark of nearly 40%.
Memphis badly needed Jackson Jr. and Bane to excel, particularly after Ja Morant’s injury, to keep their season afloat. After lackluster showings in Games 3 and 4, it’s time for them to step up and perform at a higher level in the postseason going forward.
Scotty Pippen Jr. made a valiant effort, averaging 29 points, 8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over the last two games. One of the few bright spots of the post-season.
Before fouling out on Saturday, Pippen led the Grizzlies with 30 points and 11 rebounds, achieving his first career playoff double-double and setting a new playoff career high.
But Memphis ultimately fell short of expectations, wrapping up a disappointing 2024-25 season that fueled rumors of potential roster shakeups, especially given the team’s experienced core and the high expectations that come with it. With only one playoff series win during Morant’s tenure, change might be imminent.
Interim Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised the team’s perseverance, character, and togetherness, citing the significant emotional turmoil arising from a coaching change, injuries, and tough losses. He lauded the players for staying focused and not giving up.
The Grizzlies’ season has ended, but numerous questions remain about the team’s future path and what changes lie ahead.
