Thunder Rout Grizzlies 128-97 as Ajay Mitchell Scores Career-High 35

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-97 on Friday night, Nov. 6, 2026, at FedExForum in an NBA Cup group-stage game, according to the Associated Press and Field Level Media. Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 35 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 and Jared McCain scored a season-high 21.

Oklahoma City (7-2) won its third straight game. Memphis (6-3) has now lost three in a row after opening the season 6-0.

Ajay Mitchell’s career night

Mitchell made 14 of 20 shots, Sports Illustrated’s Grizzlies On SI reported, and he did most of his damage early: 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the first half alone. He scored 12 in the second quarter as Oklahoma City outscored Memphis 36-21 in the period, according to Field Level Media.

AP noted that Mitchell has thrived in an expanded role, averaging 21.6 points over his previous five games, while Gilgeous-Alexander had scored 43 and 42 points in two recent wins over Cleveland.

The Thunder’s guard trio drew most of the attention. Grizzlies On SI said whichever of Mitchell or McCain drew the mismatch took advantage of smaller Memphis guards, including Ty Jerome, Cam Spencer and Javon Small, while bigger defenders like Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells were tied up elsewhere.

How the game got away from Memphis

• Oklahoma City led 35-28 after one quarter and 71-49 at halftime, Field Level Media reported. A Gilgeous-Alexander jumper made it 58-40, then the largest deficit Memphis had faced this season.
• The Thunder shot 63.8% in the first half (AP put it at 69% at one point) and had 38 paint points to the Grizzlies’ 18.
• A 12-0 run early in the third quarter, including consecutive 3-pointers from Mitchell, McCain and Kenrich Williams, stretched the lead to 32.
• The margin peaked at 37 late in the fourth quarter.

Key numbers

Memphis entered the game leading the NBA in 3-point percentage, AP said, but shot 22% from deep. The Grizzlies committed 18 turnovers, the third straight game in which giveaways hurt them, Grizzlies On SI reported. Their one clear edge was on the offensive glass.

Isaiah Hartenstein and a short-handed Thunder

Oklahoma City won without injured starters Jalen Williams (ankle surgery), Cason Wallace (shoulder surgery) and Chet Holmgren (knee), according to Field Level Media. Center Isaiah Hartenstein started and finished with two points, six rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes, per the NBA.com box score.

For Memphis, Ty Jerome scored 21, Zach Edey added 14, and Jerami Grant and Coward had 10 apiece. Rookie Cameron Boozer was held to eight points but grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

Thunder’s streak over Memphis

AP reported that Oklahoma City has won 16 straight games against Memphis, including a four-game sweep in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Field Level Media described it as the Thunder’s 13th straight regular-season win over the Grizzlies.

What’s next

• Thunder: host Washington on Saturday.
• Grizzlies: at Toronto on Monday.

FAQ