The Oklahoma City Thunder, atop the Western Conference, travel to face the struggling Memphis Grizzlies in a matchup that highlights contrasting fortunes. The Thunder have dominated the league with elite defense and efficient offense, while the Grizzlies battle injuries and inconsistency. This game could see OKC extend their head-to-head dominance, but Memphis’ home crowd might provide a spark.
Venue Location
FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, home of the Memphis Grizzlies. The indoor arena seats over 18,000 and is known for its passionate fans and strong home-court advantage in Southwest Division games.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. MST / 7:00 p.m. CT). The game will be broadcast on FDSSE, FDSOK, NBA TV, and WMC-TV.
Injury Report
Injuries plague both sides, but Memphis is hit harder, missing key contributors that could tilt the game toward OKC’s favor.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Out: Nikola Topic (knee; season-ending), Thomas Sorber (knee; season-ending).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Alex Caruso (back), Ousmane Dieng (calf), Jaylin Williams (heel).
The Thunder’s depth helps mitigate these absences, but Caruso’s defensive presence would be missed against Memphis’ perimeter threats if he sits.
Memphis Grizzlies
Out: Ja Morant (calf; expected back Jan. 11), John Konchar (thumb), Brandon Clarke (calf).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Vince Williams Jr. (knee), Cedric Coward (ankle).
Morant’s absence is a massive blow, as the star guard leads in scoring and playmaking. The Grizzlies’ frontcourt is also thinned, relying on Jaren Jackson Jr. heavily.
Key Player Matchups
This contest features battles in the paint and on the perimeter, where OKC’s length could overwhelm Memphis’ depleted roster.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) vs. Scotty Pippen Jr. (MEM): Gilgeous-Alexander (averaging 28.5 PPG, 6.1 APG) is a scoring machine with elite efficiency. Pippen Jr. must disrupt his rhythm, but SGA’s size and handles give him the edge.
Chet Holmgren (OKC) vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM): Holmgren (15.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.6 BPG) vs. Jackson Jr. (20.4 PPG, 2.1 BPG) promises a shot-blocking duel. Both anchor defenses, but Holmgren’s versatility could exploit Jackson’s foul-prone tendencies.
Jalen Williams (OKC) vs. Desmond Bane (MEM): Williams (21.8 PPG) brings scoring punch. Bane (18.7 PPG) must match his output without Morant drawing attention.
Luguentz Dort (OKC) vs. Jaylen Wells (MEM): Dort’s defense could limit Wells’ outside shooting, forcing Memphis into inefficient looks.
Recent Team Forms
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are 8-2 in their last 10, with a balanced attack averaging 118.2 PPG while holding opponents to 108.4. Recent games: W 129-125 vs. UTA (Jan. 7), L 97-124 vs. CHA (Jan. 5), L 105-108 @ PHX (Jan. 4), W 131-94 @ GSW (Jan. 2). Defense has been elite, but back-to-back losses show vulnerability on the road.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are 3-7 in their last 10, struggling offensively without Morant (averaging 110.8 PPG, allowing 118.6). Recent games: L 98-117 vs. PHO (Jan. 7), L 114-120 @ LAL (Jan. 4), L 121-128 @ LAL (Jan. 2), L 136-139 OT vs. PHI (Dec. 30). Rebounding and turnovers remain issues amid injuries.
Series History
The Thunder hold a dominant 76-35 edge in 111 regular-season meetings against the Grizzlies. OKC has won the last 11 straight, including 119-103 on Dec. 22, 2025, and 114-100 on Nov. 9, 2025. Memphis’ last victory was in 2024. In playoffs, the series is tied 7-7.
Betting Trends
Oklahoma City: 19-19 ATS overall (50% cover rate), 8-9 ATS on the road. They’ve covered 6-4 ATS in their last 10, with the under hitting in 7 of 10. Thunder are 15-3 ATS as favorites of 10+ points.
Memphis: 17-20 ATS overall (45.9%), 9-9 ATS at home. They’ve gone 3-7 ATS in their last 10, with the under in 6 of 10. Grizzlies are 4-10 ATS as underdogs.
Head-to-head, OKC is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 vs. Memphis. Games have gone under in 7 of the last 10 meetings.
Game Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder – 6.5
Memphis Grizzlies 229.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 8, 2026
