It was an execution. The NBA playoffs haven’t seen such a nightmare in a long time!

At the arena in Oklahoma, the fans were still looking for their seats, and Memphis was already starting to have problems. The team entered the first match against the best team in the West as if it was another warm-up in the regular season: without a plan, without energy and, it seems, without understanding that it was the playoffs. The defense fell apart in the simplest episodes, the offense sank itself from the first possessions. And when you are facing the fastest, boldest and deepest team in the conference, you have to pay for it immediately.

Oklahoma City didn’t try to put on a star-studded show, and that’s where its biggest threat lies. Iron discipline, a tight defense, and a wide arsenal of attacks played their part. And Shay Gilgeous-Alexander, the leader of this gang, didn’t even have to turn on his full force. For the first time since October last year, he didn’t score 20 points, and in the first half, he made only 20% of his shots. But by the big break, the Thunder were already leading by “+32” — 68:36.

Before the meeting, Gilgeous-Alexander calmly responded to talk about Oklahoma City not being afraid of anyone in the playoffs: “I don’t care if they’re afraid of us or not. If we win, that’s all that matters.” These words turned out to be not just a position, but a diagnosis. No anxiety, no desire to prove anything to anyone — the Thunder just went out and did their job. Hard. Cool. No questions asked.

Oklahoma City scored double-digit points throughout the entire start. Jaylen Williams led the way with 20 points — and he did it without making a fuss, without making any pushy shots or trying to steal the show. The Thunder proved once again that they can win at chess or in a street fight. Shay isn’t getting it? Others will join in. Can’t get it off the perimeter? We’ll take it on defense. It’s simple, it’s impeccable.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, looked like they had been accidentally mixed up with another team and sent to the playoffs. No changes, no adaptations – the same boring scheme, the same combinations, the same old problems. The coaching staff, after firing Taylor Jenkins, seemed to be stuck on autopilot: not a single sensible adjustment, not a single unconventional move. Even the starting lineup was a carbon copy of those that came out in the regular season. Instead of ideas – routine, instead of resistance – complete capitulation.

The brightest flash of the visitors was Marvin Bagley , who suddenly remembered what it was like to hit the hoop. All eight shots, 17 points, and even a three-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the third quarter from the center of the court. Only the scoreboard at that moment read “-49”. A beautiful moment? Yes. Useful? Absolutely not.