The Memphis Grizzlies were 24 minutes from what seemed to be an inevitable Game 3 victory. Even after the scary hip injury that Ja Morant sustained in the second quarter, the Grizzlies entered the second half leading the Oklahoma City Thunder by 26 points.
Unfortunately, Memphis fell apart in the second half, squandering a colossal lead and ultimately falling 114-108 to the 68-win Thunder.
The Grizzlies will now enter Game 4 facing elimination from the 2025 NBA Playoffs. It's a stunning turn of events considering Memphis was 42-24 with 16 games remaining on the schedule, seeding third in the Western Conference behind the Denver Nuggets on a tiebreak.
The cards have been dealt, however, and the Grizzlies must now find a way to salvage their season—a process that was expedited in Game 3, despite the result.
Memphis may have lost, but it received a promising look at its future along the way. Scotty Pippen Jr. got the start alongside Morant, and delivered one of the most impressive postseason performances of any individual player thus far in 2025.
Pippen's breakout has been a progressive development since 2023-24, and if Game 3 is a sign of things to come, then the Grizzlies may have a new guard of the future.
Scotty Pippen Jr. proved he isn't afraid of the moment
Pippen finished Game 3 with 28 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Matched up against one of the best defensive perimeters in the NBA, he shot 8-of-16 from the field, 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.
Losing Game 3 is obviously the bigger talking point, but Pippen provided reason to believe that his upside is stronger than that of a role player.
There would be zero reason for pessimism if Pippen maxes out as a high-level role player, but the signs are becoming more promising by the day. After all, Game 3 wasn't the first time that he's stepped up with Memphis' backs against the wall.
Pippen tallied nine points, five rebounds, and five assists in the Grizzlies' first Play-In game, and posted 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting to help clinch a playoff berth the next time out.
It's also worth noting that Pippen was one of Memphis' most reliable players as it looked to right the ship near the end of the regular season. He averaged 13.6 points and 5.4 assists over his final 13 appearances, scoring in double-figures 12 times and twice distributing upwards of 10 assists.
Pippen also tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and five steals in a regular-season game against the Thunder during that stretch.
Scotty Pippen Jr. has been flashing high-level upside all season
In total, Pippen registered 43 games with at least 10 points, nine with 10-plus assists, and even recorded a triple-double along the way. In his first full NBA season, his averages translated to 16.7 points, 7.4 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
For perspective: Pippen was the only player in the NBA to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Not only did Pippen produce remarkably well-rounded numbers, but he maintained impressive efficiency with a slash line of .480/.397/.713. That's translated well to big games, as the up-and-comer has looked the part of a potentially invaluable player on a true contender with the way he's stepped up in a pinch.
Still just 24 years of age, Pippen will have a chance to make an even more powerful statement about his future when the Grizzlies attempt to stave off elimination in Game 4.