Philippines, 04 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA -- Grizzlies eliminate Thunder with Game 5 win


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- For the first time this postseason, superstar Kevin Durant looked mortal, missing an astounding 15 of 21 field goals. The anomaly couldn't have happened at a worst time as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 88-84, Wednesday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Durant still managed with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but the all-around fare wasn't enough to help the Thunder, who were eliminated from the playoffs after five games in the Western Conference semifinal.

"We came up short. Memphis made it tough on us all series. The last play I was just trying to get an open look and I had one, but my shot was too long. It's tough to lose your last game in the playoffs and down the road we'll probably look back on this appreciate these tough times. Sometimes you gotta ride the storms to see the sunshine," a dejected Durant told NBA.com after missing a jumper that could have tied the score in the last 4.9 seconds of play.

Zach Randolph came up huge for the Grizzlies with 28 points and 14 rebounds while point guard Mike Conley added 13 and 11 assists. Tony Allen and Marc Gasol combined for 21 points as Memphis survived a rough shooting night, hitting just three of 14 threes and 30 of 81 field goals overall. But the Grizzlies cashed in 25 of 25 free throws.

"Every game had a chance to go to the other team. Tonight they came back in the second half and just keep coming. We just made enough plays to win. Zach was huge the whole game, he came out snortin' and gruntin' the whole game," Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins said during his postgame press conference.

Serge Ibaka chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds for OKC and Reggie Jakcson, playing in place of the injured Russell Westbrook, tallied 16. Kevin Martin finished with just 10 points as the Thunder missed 19 of 25 threes and made only 31 of 84 shots.

With a berth on the Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies will await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs-Golden State Warriors showdown, a best-of-7 series the Spurs lead at 3-2. (Homer D. Sayson)

Zach Randolph led Memphis' charge with 28 points as the Grizzlies bounced the OKC Thunder from the playoffs Wednesday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.