NBA playoffs: Morant on crutches as Grizzlies blow 29-point lead against Thunder

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Thunder Overcome 29-Point Deficit to Defeat Grizzlies and Take 3-0 Series Lead"

NBA playoffs: Morant on crutches as Grizzlies blow 29-point lead against Thunder analysis cover image The Guardian 7.7
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/25/nba-playoffs-morant-on-crutches-as-grizzlies-blow-29-point-lead-against-thunder
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AI Analysis Average Score: 7.7
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TruthLens AI Summary

In a dramatic turn of events, the Oklahoma City Thunder staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108, overcoming a staggering 29-point deficit in Game 3 of their playoff series. The game shifted dramatically after Grizzlies star Ja Morant left the court with a left hip contusion late in the first half, where Memphis had established a commanding 67-40 lead. Morant was later seen on crutches, raising concerns about his availability for the next game, as interim coach Tuomas Iisalo stated that further evaluations would be conducted to assess his condition. The absence of Morant significantly impacted the Grizzlies’ performance, particularly in the second half, where the team struggled with both energy and execution, ultimately allowing the Thunder to capitalize on their momentum shift. The comeback marked the second-largest in NBA postseason history, only trailing a 31-point comeback by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019.

The Thunder, who had not held a lead until the fourth quarter, were propelled by standout performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points, and Jalen Williams, who added 26 points. Coach Mark Daigneault emphasized the need for the team to reconnect with their identity after a lackluster first half. For the Grizzlies, Scotty Pippen led the scoring with 28 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr contributed 22 points, but their efforts fell short as the Thunder surged back to take control of the game. With this victory, Oklahoma City now leads the series 3-0 and has the opportunity to close it out in Game 4 on Saturday. In other playoff action, the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Denver Nuggets 117-83, and the New York Knicks edged out the Detroit Pistons 118-116, taking leads in their respective series as well.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The news article highlights a significant event in the NBA playoffs, focusing on the Memphis Grizzlies' collapse after a substantial lead, coinciding with the injury of their star player, Ja Morant. The narrative centers on the dramatic comeback by the Oklahoma City Thunder, emphasizing the implications of Morant's absence on the game's outcome.

Purpose of the Article

The article aims to inform readers about a pivotal moment in the NBA playoffs, showcasing the resilience of the Thunder and the potential challenges facing the Grizzlies without their key player. By detailing Morant's injury and its impact on the game, the piece seeks to engage basketball fans and analysts, providing an analysis of how injuries can shift the dynamics of playoff games.

Public Perception

This coverage may evoke a sense of concern among Grizzlies fans regarding the team's future in the playoffs, especially with Morant's uncertain status. The portrayal of a 29-point lead turning into a loss also highlights the unpredictability of sports, which can resonate with a broader audience that appreciates dramatic comebacks and underdog stories.

Omissions or Hidden Aspects

While the article focuses on the game and Morant's injury, it may overlook other factors contributing to the Grizzlies' second-half performance, such as tactical changes or mental aspects of the game. By concentrating on Morant's injury, the narrative might suggest that his absence was the sole reason for the collapse, potentially downplaying other critical elements.

Manipulative Elements

The framing of Morant's injury as a game-changing factor could lead to a perception that the Grizzlies' loss was primarily due to his absence. This focus might manipulate reader sentiment by creating a narrative of dependence on star players, which can polarize opinions about team dynamics and individual contributions.

Comparative Analysis

When compared to other sports news articles covering similar dramatic events, this piece follows a common trend of emphasizing individual player impacts on team performance. However, it also connects to broader themes within sports narratives about injury and the resilience of teams, which are prevalent in sports journalism.

Potential Societal Impact

The fallout from this game could influence discussions around player health and safety, especially concerning injuries. Fans and analysts alike may begin to scrutinize the management of star players and their rehabilitation processes, impacting how franchises approach player welfare in the future.

Target Audience

This article primarily appeals to sports enthusiasts, particularly basketball fans who follow the NBA playoffs closely. It also targets analysts and commentators interested in the implications of player injuries on team dynamics and playoff outcomes.

Market Influence

While this specific game may not have immediate effects on stock markets or financial sectors, the performance of NBA teams can influence merchandise sales, ticket prices, and franchise valuations. The Grizzlies' prospects in the playoffs could also affect sponsorship deals and partnerships.

Geopolitical Relevance

The article does not directly touch on geopolitical issues but reflects the broader cultural significance of sports in American society. The NBA often serves as a platform for social issues, and discussions around injuries can intersect with topics of athlete welfare and rights.

AI Involvement

It is possible that AI tools were used in drafting or editing the article, particularly for data analysis regarding player statistics or game history. However, the writing style appears typical of sports journalism, suggesting human authorship in narrative construction.

Trustworthiness of the Article

The article presents factual information regarding the game and player injury, relying on credible sources such as the Grizzlies' coach for quotes. The overall reliability is high, although the focus on Morant’s injury may skew the narrative towards a singular perspective.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/25/nba-playoffs-morant-on-crutches-as-grizzlies-blow-29-point-lead-against-thunder

Chet Holmgren scored all but one of his 24 points in the second half and theOklahoma City Thunderovercame a 29-point deficit after Ja Morant left the game with a hip injury to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-108 for a 3-0 series lead.Morant was hurt with just over three minutes left in the first half on Thursday night with Memphis leading 67-40. The Grizzlies led by 26 at half-time.

Morant was later seen on crutches in the tunnel with what was described as a left hip contusion. Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said he was unsure if the two-time All Star would be available for Saturday’s game.

“He’s going through further evaluations tomorrow,” said Iisalo. “Then we’ll know more.”

Asked how much his absence affected the Grizzlies play in the second half, Iisalo replied: “I would say quite drastically from the end result. But not only the energy, but also the execution.”The 29-point comeback was the second-largest in anNBApostseason game since play-by-play data began being recorded in the 1996-97 season. The only one bigger: A comeback from 31 points down by the Los Angeles Clippers against Golden State in April 2019.The top-seeded Thunder, who won Game 1 131-80 in the fifth-biggest margin of victory in NBA postseason history, didn’t even have a lead in this one until the fourth quarter. Now, they can close out the series on Saturday.

“I just through out of half-time, we kind of reconnected to who we are. We were very out of character in the first half,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points for Oklahoma City and Jalen Williams added 26, splitting a pair of free throws with 1:20 left to give the Thunder their first lead. Scotty Pippen scored 28 points, two short of his career high, to lead Memphis. Jaren Jackson Jr added 22 points as Memphis saw their lead evaporate in the second half.

“They built a 29-point lead in a half, so we felt like all we had to do was build our own 29-point lead,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

In Thursday’s other games, Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 117-83 victory over Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Meanwhile, the New York Knicks left no doubt about their plan for Game 3 in the opening minutes against the Detroit Pistons. Karl-Anthony Towns took his team’s first shot, made his first of four three-pointers and scored five points in the opening minutes to start an 11-point quarter. Towns scored 31 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots to lead New York in a 118-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Game 4 is on Sunday in Detroit before the series shifts back to New York.

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Source: The Guardian