Thunder tame Grizzlies sans Gilgeous-Alexander

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Jalen Williams scored 26 points and Kenrich Williams added 21 as the National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Oklahoma City Thunder erased a 21-point third-quarter deficit to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 117-116 on Friday.

Kenrich Williams delivered a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:07 remaining and Alex Caruso blocked a last-gasp attempt by Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward in the final second as the Thunder triumphed despite the absence of reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and center Chet Holmgren.

Gilgeous-Alexander was sidelined by a sprained ankle while Holmgren was nursing sore shins, both joining Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams on OKC’s injured list.

“Great resilience by the team,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “There were just so many moments of that game where we were trying to break through and something would happen that put the wind in our face again.

“And yet the team just kept competing,” Daigneault added after the Thunder improved their league-best record to 32-7.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Memphis, who had the Thunder on the ropes much of the night despite the continued absence of Ja Morant and any uncertainty sparked by the trade rumors swirling around their star guard.