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[Saba Sports News] The Memphis Grizzlies found themselves on the wrong side of history Thursday night after a crushing Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Playing at FedExForum in Memphis, the Grizzlies built a commanding 67-40 lead late in the first half. But just as the margin neared 30 points, disaster struck. Ja Morant was undercut by Thunder defender Lu Dort on a fastbreak dunk attempt, crashing hard to the floor at the 3:07 mark of the second quarter.
Though Morant stayed in to shoot free throws, he was quickly subbed out and did not return due to a right hip injury.
Without their star, the Grizzlies unraveled. The Thunder, down 77-51 at halftime, stormed back to outscore Memphis 63-31 in the second half and pull off a 114-108 road win.
Oklahoma City’s comeback from a 26-point halftime deficit now stands as the largest in NBA playoff history. Their erasure of a 29-point second-quarter hole was the second-biggest comeback ever in postseason play.
The Grizzlies collapsed completely down the stretch, going scoreless over the final 4:51. Jalen Williams’ free throw with 1:20 left gave OKC its first lead of the night.
Williams, Chet Holmgren, and MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander combined for 81 points, propelling the Thunder to a commanding 3-0 series lead
