Thunder 128 - Grizzlies 97 (11/6/2026): Ajay Mitchell Shines With 35 Points

On Friday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder visited the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. The Thunder cruised past the Grizzlies, wrapping up the game with a 128-97 victory. This win pushed Oklahoma City's record to 7-2 for the season.

Ajay Mitchell led the Thunder in scoring, putting up 35 points with impressive accuracy, hitting 14 of his 20 shots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 points, continuing his strong start to the season. Jared McCain also contributed significantly with 21 points and 5 rebounds.

Thunder’s Dominant Shooting

Oklahoma City was on fire from the floor, shooting 55.4% overall. Their three-point shooting was also efficient, with a 45.7% success rate on 35 attempts. While free throw shooting could have been better, the Thunder made up for it with their strong field goal performance.

The Thunder's defense was just as impressive, limiting Memphis to a mere 33% shooting. Oklahoma City snagged 10 steals, turning those into fast-break opportunities that helped extend their lead. Their defense also contributed to 18 Memphis turnovers, which played a role in the final margin.

Memphis Struggles to Find Rhythm

Despite playing at home, the Grizzlies struggled to find their groove. Ty Jerome was a bright spot for Memphis with 21 points. Cameron Boozer pulled down 12 rebounds but had difficulty scoring, hitting only 2 of his 14 shots.

Cedric Coward contributed 10 points and nearly grabbed a double-double with 9 rebounds. Still, it wasn't enough to keep the Grizzlies competitive in the game. Their three-point shooting was particularly off, making just 22.2% from beyond the arc.

Thunder’s Balanced Attack

Oklahoma City spread the ball well, tallying 25 assists on 51 made field goals. This balanced attack kept the Memphis defense on its toes throughout the contest. The Thunder also won the rebound battle, securing 45 boards compared to the Grizzlies’ 43.

Oklahoma City's defensive intensity showed with 6 blocks, preventing Memphis from gaining any momentum in the paint. The Thunder's ability to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots played a key role in their defensive game plan.

Both teams entered the game with a 6-2 record but Oklahoma City’s performance elevated them to 4th in the Western Conference. Memphis fell to 6th place as their record dropped to 6-3.

The win added to Oklahoma City's current three-game winning streak, and they will look to continue their momentum at home against the Washington Wizards. The Grizzlies, now on a three-game losing streak, will aim to bounce back as they head to Toronto to face the Raptors.

This game was a testament to the Thunder's potential this season as they effectively balanced offense and defense to secure a comfortable win. Coach Mark Daigneault's team showed depth and resilience against a high-powered Memphis squad.