MEMPHIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t just claw back from a 26-point hole last night; they carved out a slice of NBA playoff history. In a raucous Game 3 on April 24, 2025, the Thunder stormed past the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108, snatching a 2-1 series lead and leaving the Grizzlies teetering on the brink of elimination. This wasn’t just a win—it was the biggest second-half rally ever in the NBA postseason, a gut-punch performance that flipped a blowout into a nail-biter.
The Grizzlies owned the first half, sizzling with sharp shooting and a swagger that had FedExForum rocking. By halftime, they led 67-41, a margin that felt like a knockout blow. Memphis was cruising, their offense clicking like a well-oiled machine. But then, the wheels came off. A devastating blow hit late in the second quarter when Grizzlies star Ja Morant crashed hard after a drive, suffering a hip injury that sent him limping to the locker room. He didn’t return. From that moment, with 3:14 left in the half, the Thunder outscored Memphis 74-41, a tidal wave that drowned the Grizzlies’ hopes.
Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren sparked the surge, catching fire with his lanky frame and fearless shooting. The Thunder’s defense, already the league’s best, turned ruthless, smothering Memphis’ depleted lineup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, cool as ever, dropped 31 points, his drives slicing through the Grizzlies like a hot knife. The comeback wasn’t just big—it was historic, topping any second-half rally in playoff annals and ranking as the second-largest overall since 1997, behind only a 31-point Clippers rally in 2019.
Memphis, shorthanded without Morant, couldn’t stem the tide. Their early lead, built on hot shooting and hustle, evaporated as Oklahoma City’s energy shifted the game’s pulse. The Thunder’s bench erupted, the crowd grew restless, and by the fourth quarter, OKC had seized control. They sealed it with a defensive stand, holding Memphis scoreless in the final minutes, a clampdown that turned possibility into reality.
The series now shifts to Game 4 in Memphis on April 27, with the Grizzlies facing a must-win. Oklahoma City, riding the momentum of a comeback for the ages, holds the upper hand. The Thunder’s 114-108 victory on April 24 marked the largest halftime deficit overcome in NBA playoff history. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 31 points, while Morant’s injury occurred with 3:14 remaining in the second quarter.