The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder reinforced their dominance at home, dismantling the Memphis Grizzlies with a convincing 119-103 victory on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 (Philippine Time). This win solidifies their status as the league's only team with a pristine home-court record.
Thunder's Unbeaten Fortress Stands Tall
With this latest triumph, the Thunder's home record improved to a perfect 14-0, making them the sole NBA team yet to taste defeat on their own floor this season. Their overall league-leading record now stands at an impressive 26 wins and only 3 losses. The game, played at the Paycom Center, showcased why Oklahoma City is considered the team to beat.
SGA Leads the Charge in Key Moments
As has been the case all season, the Thunder were powered by reigning regular season and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The superstar guard delivered a masterclass, posting 31 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists. His leadership was particularly crucial when the Grizzlies threatened a comeback.
After establishing control with a 12-2 run late in the third quarter to lead by 18 points early in the fourth, the Thunder faced a resilient Memphis squad. The Grizzlies, led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, clawed back and cut the deficit to just four points with over six minutes remaining following a Caldwell-Pope three-pointer.
Closing the Door on the Comeback
Gilgeous-Alexander and teammate Branden Carlson promptly extinguished any hope of a Memphis upset. They responded with back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead back to a safer 10-point margin. The Thunder then sealed the game definitively with a dominant 14-2 run, during which Gilgeous-Alexander contributed seven more points to his tally.
This victory is made more remarkable by the Thunder's depleted roster. They were without starting big men Chet Holmgren (illness) and Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus soreness). Key rotation players Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Ousmane Dieng also did not suit up.
Supporting Gilgeous-Alexander's effort, Jalen Williams added 24 points, while Ajay Mitchell chipped in 16 points off the bench.
Short-Handed Grizzlies Fall Short
The Memphis Grizzlies were also missing several key pieces, including star guard Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, and Zach Edey. In their absence, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cedric Coward co-led the team with 16 points each, but it wasn't enough to storm the Thunder's fortress.
The result underscores the Thunder's incredible depth and resilience as they continue their quest to defend the NBA title, proving they can win decisively even when shorthanded.
