MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder to FedExForum on Friday in NBA Cup group play with both clubs sitting at 6-2 in the young Western Conference standings.
With Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren sidelined, two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried Oklahoma City through consecutive 40-point outings versus Cleveland.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said his roster wants no pity and must compete each night with whoever can dress.
Memphis has stumbled after a 6-0 start, dropping two straight at home while coughing up 53 turnovers in its last three games and watching foes score 66 points off those mistakes.
Coach Tuomas Iisalo said the turnovers have come both from late passes and from failing to handle ball pressure off the dribble, lessons he called part of the early learning curve.
Injury reports list Scotty Pippen Jr. as day to day with a back issue and Isaiah Stewart as day to day with a knee concern for Memphis heading into the Cup matchup.
Oklahoma City also has several other players listed day to day or out, underscoring how thin the visitor roster is for the Friday tip.
For Memphis, cleaning up the ball and answering Oklahoma City’s star scoring punch will decide whether the Grizzlies can snap the home skid in tournament play.
Tip time and broadcast details were still circulating Friday as both 6-2 clubs prepared for a Cup game that could shape early group standings in the West.
A FedExForum crowd that watched two tight home losses this week will want cleaner ball movement against a Thunder team still dangerous with Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor.
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