The Memphis Grizzlies return to FedExForum for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder facing immense pressure and urgency after falling into a 0-2 series hole following two lopsided losses on the road. After being outclassed 131-80 in Game 1 and again 117-98 in Game 2, the Grizzlies have been unable to match Oklahoma City’s energy, execution, and overall cohesion, leaving them in a desperate position where Game 3 becomes as much about survival as it is about redemption. The return to home court offers a chance for emotional reset and strategic recalibration, and Memphis must seize it to have any hope of staying competitive in the series. Ja Morant, the face of the franchise, has had a rough go offensively through the first two games, struggling against the Thunder’s relentless perimeter defenders who have cut off his driving lanes and forced him into contested jumpers. The lack of spacing and consistent ball movement has made it difficult for Morant to find rhythm, and his teammates have not been able to lift the scoring burden when he’s been bottled up. Jaren Jackson Jr. has shown flashes of his scoring potential and shot-blocking prowess, but too often he’s been forced into difficult positions due to Oklahoma City’s switching and length. For the Grizzlies to find a foothold, Jackson will need to be more aggressive in asserting his presence both in the paint and from beyond the arc, while Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams must provide perimeter production to prevent the Thunder from collapsing on Morant every possession.

Defensively, Memphis has been thoroughly outmaneuvered, failing to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s pick-and-roll mastery and allowing too many clean looks from Oklahoma City’s array of secondary scorers. The Grizzlies’ transition defense has been porous, giving the Thunder too many easy buckets off live-ball turnovers and long rebounds. Head coach Taylor Jenkins will need to make major adjustments, potentially introducing more zone looks or full-court pressure to disrupt OKC’s flow and force them into uncomfortable offensive scenarios. On offense, the Grizzlies may benefit from speeding up the pace and pushing off makes and misses alike, hoping to catch the Thunder defense in flux before it can get set. Memphis’s bench must also step up in a meaningful way—through two games, their lack of production has allowed OKC’s second unit to extend leads rather than merely maintain them. At home, the Grizzlies will look to feed off the energy of their crowd and play with a level of desperation that could swing momentum, at least temporarily. The keys will be execution, mental focus, and the ability to absorb and respond to adversity, something they haven’t done well thus far in the series. Game 3 presents a do-or-die scenario, and Memphis will need to play its most complete game of the season to avoid a 3-0 deficit that would all but end their playoff run. It’s a test of character, chemistry, and competitive spirit—and if the Grizzlies want to keep their season alive, it all has to come together now.