Ja Morant certainly had a clear message after the Grizzlies faced a historic defeat in Game 1 of their playoff series against the Thunder. The 51-point loss marked the worst playoff defeat in Memphis’ history, and Morant was steadfast in his resolve that such an outcome would not be repeated.
“We’ll never play that bad again,” he asserted confidently in his postgame comments, emphasizing the determination within the team to correct their missteps.
This was no ordinary defeat. ESPN Research noted that it was the fifth-largest margin of defeat in NBA playoff history, a stark reminder of the challenges that come with postseason play. The last time a loss was as lopsided as this was back in 2015 when the Chicago Bulls steamrolled the Milwaukee Bucks by 54 points. For the Grizzlies, this defeat is not just a statistic; it’s engraved in the minds of both players and fans alike, a ghost that lingers as the series progresses.
Despite the staggering scoreline, Memphis players were keen to maintain perspective. Desmond Bane highlighted the importance of keeping a level head, reinforcing the idea that while the defeat was disappointing, it’s just one game in a longer series. “At the end of the day, it’s one game,” he remarked. “If we lose by 50 or lose on a buzzer-beater, the series is still 1-0. Not the result we wanted, for sure, but still got a good opportunity to get one on the road in two days.”
In a game where Oklahoma City surged to a lead as large as 56 points, the Thunder’s ability to dominate was on full display, to the point where their starters sat out the final quarter, a rare sight in the playoffs. Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo expressed a mix of disappointment and resilience in his analysis of the game. “Luckily for us, there’s only one way from this, and that’s up,” he stated. “We will analyze it, we’ll learn from it, and then we will fix those things that hurt us. But there were a lot of things.”
Morant’s numbers reflected a challenging night, as he finished with 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting and contributed four assists. However, the focus now shifts to the Grizzlies’ response in Game 2, where they will have the opportunity to bounce back and show their mettle in Oklahoma City. This is a defining moment for Memphis, and how they rise from this defeat could set the tone for the remainder of the series. Fans are surely hoping to see a more resilient performance when the next game rolls around.
