The Oklahoma City Thunder have waited years for this moment. A 68-win season. The number one seed. A young, dynamic roster that’s not just good—but terrifying. Now, as they step into the postseason spotlight against the Memphis Grizzlies, fans had one big question: Will their stars be ready?

But here’s the thing: questions about health were never really the point. Not for this team. Not now. This isn’t a group hoping to survive the playoffs—it’s a team built to shape them. The only question that matters is: can anyone keep up with what they’ve become?

Thunder’s full arsenal is back—and they know exactly what to do with it

Good news: Yes. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren are set to play in Game 1.

SGA, who led the league in scoring and emerged as a full-blown MVP candidate, has been cleared after a lower leg injury forced him to sit out the final three games of the regular season. He will be leading the charge. Holmgren, who missed the final two regular season games with back soreness, practiced fully and has been declared available. The only Thunder player listed as out is Ousmane Dieng.

But this isn’t just about availability—it’s about identity. For the first time since January, OKC has its ideal closing lineup intact. This is the version of the Thunder that blitzed through the regular season, crushed opponents by 30 points per 100 possessions when their starters shared the floor, and looked like a group that’s already seen the future—and wants it now.

SGA hasn’t missed a beat. He dropped 36.3 points per game on the Grizzlies across their four regular-season matchups and, more importantly, looked fresh doing it. “Nothing matters more than this time of the year. As good as I’ve been or as good as I feel, the real test is gonna come. I think I put myself in the best position I can be to try to ace the test,” he said ahead of the game.

Holmgren echoed that composure: “I feel good. We’re ready to defend every inch of the court.”

The Grizzlies have other concerns. GG Jackson is out. And Ja Morant? He’s playing, but the ankle isn’t right. After Friday’s play-in game, Morant admitted: “It’s the playoffs. You play through anything. We’ve got a job to do, and I’ll be ready.” But that readiness comes with questions. He’s not 100%, and that’s not just a medical note—it’s a tactical opportunity.

Expect Lu Dort and Caruso to push higher on the perimeter, knowing that Morant may not have the same first-step burst. Chet will rotate early, ready to shut down drives before they start. The Thunder don’t need to overreact—they need to pressure. Because pressure forces decisions. And a half-speed Morant, surrounded by a thin bench and a new coach, has little margin for error.

OKC’s first spark could start a wildfire; Grizzlies aren’t taking them light

This isn’t just the beginning of a playoff run. It’s the launchpad of a championship campaign that’s been three years in the making. OKC didn’t sneak into the top seed. They dominated. With the second-best net rating in NBA history and a roster that’s as versatile as it is vicious, the Thunder enter this series with something few young teams ever carry: control.

Coach Mark Daigneault brushed off concerns about playoff inexperience: “Our guys have played in high-leverage situations all year. The playoffs are just an extension of that.” But even he knows that what’s coming isn’t just about Xs and Os. It’s about nerve.

Shai isn’t just leading with stats—he’s leading with presence. Gilgeous-Alexander has become the league’s smoothest closer, a guard who thrives when things slow down and the spotlight tightens. When the Thunder need composure, he gives them fire in slow motion.

Then there’s Holmgren, the 7-footer who’s shifted the team’s entire defensive ceiling. If Morant drives downhill, he meets arms, angles, and anticipation. Chet’s rim deterrence isn’t loud. It’s suffocating.

The matchup? Grizzlies chaos vs. Thunder clarity—and that clarity is tactical. OKC knows exactly who they are. They’ll switch across five positions, protect the rim with Chet, and let SGA orchestrate in isolation. Memphis, meanwhile, is still reeling from a midseason coaching change and a roster that’s in flux.

Even Grizzlies players know what they’re up against. “They’re probably the best team in the league,” Santi Aldama admitted. “They share the ball, they play the right way. It’s hard to guard that.”

And Memphis’ margin for error is razor thin. Morant? Guarded by a wave of defenders who held him to 25.9% shooting in four regular-season matchups. Bane? Dangerous, but turnover-prone under pressure. Jaren Jackson Jr.? OKC will bait him into post-ups and fadeaways, knowing they can live with that.

If there’s an edge for Memphis, it’s in disruption. They want chaos. Fast breaks. Loose balls. “If we do what we’re supposed to do, it’ll be good enough,” Bane said, but that’s a massive ‘if’ against a team that doesn’t beat itself. Meanwhile, OKC will look to weaponize discipline. Control the tempo. Force late-clock decisions. Shrink space. Win with structure.

The stakes are high, and the Thunder already have their hands on the clock. A franchise still finding itself versus one that’s already found its stride. Memphis might push pace. They might swing. But OKC? They’ll stay in stance. And wait for the mistake.

The question was whether Chet and Shai would suit up. The better question now? Can anyone slow them down?