The Memphis Grizzlies get their second crack at defeating the Western Conference's top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a battle of the top two seeds in the West. The Thunder led by as many as 31 points in their first matchup of the season in Oklahoma City on their way to a 130-106 victory.
The Grizzlies suffered a rash of injuries heading into their December 29th contest as Santi Aldama, Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke all went down in the games leading up to the initial battle of the top two West teams. This time around, the Grizzlies might have their full roster intact (Desmond Bane is questionable) with the exception of the recently acquired Marvin Bagley III and Johnny Davis.
Including their only game this season, the Thunder have won six in a row against the Grizzlies dating back to the 2022-23 season. Suddenly, the Grizzlies find themselves looking up at the Thunder once again in a pending rivalry that spans two eras. Their battle tonight will be on the same date their first iteration of the rivalry began 14 years ago.
Tony Allen coined the phrase "All Heart Grit Grind"
The Birth of "All Heart Grit Grind"
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 31, 2019
a motto that would soon define an era. @aa000G9 pic.twitter.com/0Tf9tLyXPx
This era marks the second time the Grizzlies and Thunder have been young up-and-coming teams as the Grizzlies' Grit 'n' Grind era presented many battles for the two teams. The Grizzlies' core four of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr., and Tony Allen came onto the scene during the 2010-11 season.
They followed the Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden led Thunder's rise during the 2009-10 season. On this day in 2011, Tony Allen scored 27 points with four rebounds, five steals, and three blocks to lead the Grizzlies over the Thunder in overtime when he coined the phrase "All Heart Grit Grind."
That phrase effectively began the Grit 'n' Grind era for the Memphis Grizzlies and their rivalry with the Thunder was born. What followed was three playoff series between the two teams in the next four seasons, which the Thunder won two of the three.
Their first playoff battle came that same season and ended with the Thunder winning in seven games 4-3. The triple overtime game 4 battle that was won by the Thunder to tie the series at 2-2 still remains as one of the best playoff games of all-time.
Presently the Grizzlies and Thunder are back with the young teams that are at the top of the Western Conference. Just like that moment on this day 14 years ago, tonight could be the beginning of what's to come between these two teams on the biggest stage for years to come.