SGA returns, but Thunder can't keep up with Grizzlies

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Oklahoma City played too many point guards against Memphis. After giving several opponents a surprising run of competitive basketball without starters George Hill and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or reserve Theo Maledon, Gilgeous-Alexander and Maledon both returned to action in Memphis. SGA hadn’t missed a beat after a very precautionary timetable kept him out of the four prior games–22 points (including 8 free throws), 6 rebounds, and 3 rebounds for the Thunder star.

SGA on his health: “Knee feels good, feels 100%. And it felt great to be out there. I’m happy to be back with the group.”
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 18, 2021

The game was close through three, as the frontcourt played nobly in Al Horford’s absence while he sat on the second night of a back-to-back. Darius Bazley (18 points), and Michael Jordan Muscala (21) led that charge, but OKC couldn’t hold up for 48 minutes. The tight travel schedule was compounded by the weather and flight issues, so the Thunder appeared understandably gassed as the Grizzlies pulled away with a 19-3 run early in the fourth quarter and never looked back.

SGA on his telling his teammates “no excuses” before the game:

“Obviously the circumstances were a little bit different tonight. But it’s our job. And no matter what, we have to play to our standards.”

Shai says he was happy with the effort despite OKC’s loss.
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) February 18, 2021