On Thursday leading up to Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder's opening round series with the Memphis Grizzlies, the conversation seemed to be similar no matter what corner of the internet you went to. Why was the Thunder's game on TNT instead of Nuggets-Clippers Game 3?
At the time, it was a valid question, given that the Nuggets and Clippers had given NBA fans two of the most exciting first round games in back-to-back contests. Meanwhile, the Thunder had been positively steamrolling the Grizzlies. Their +70 differential over Memphis in the first two games was the second-largest mark in a first round series of all-time.
But then, tipoff at FedEx Forum came, and it was anything but boring. With the Grizzlies jumping out to an early lead that only grew larger, things were changing quickly. Not only did it look like Memphis was going to win Game 3, but the question started to arise: Could this actually become a competitive series?
It was certainly a game unlike the Thunder had been in the entire regular season or playoffs up to this point. Oklahoma City played in so few close games throughout the year, of course losing only 14 in total since the end of October. And even in the six (!!) games they lost by double digits, they never looked as sloppy as they did in the first half on Thursday.
Thunder rallied for largest halftime comeback in NBA playoff history
And then just when it seemed like the Thunder could be facing a Game 4 where the Grizzlies would have an opportunity to tie things up 2-2, they began to shift their fate. What was as large as a 29-point advantage for Memphis slowly began to shrink.
After a terrible injury to Ja Morant, Oklahoma City started to tighten up on defense. Refining their process offensively and not letting the heat of the moment disrupt them, the Thunder brought themselves all the way back to claim their first lead of the contest off a Jalen Williams free throw with 1:20 remaining in the fourth. In the end, it became the largest halftime deficit overcome by any team in NBA history in the playoffs.
It was a remarkable turnaround. And although we must acknowledge how Morant's injury changed the equation for the Grizzlies, we also have to give credit to OKC for showing qualities of a true championship-worthy team in this one.
Going down by that much against a quality opponent in a hostile environment would be enough to make even some of the best teams wilt under the pressure. Not many playoff squads would not have been able to mount the kind of improbable comeback the Thunder did on Thursday.
As disappointing as the first half was in Game 3, the adjustments made by Mark Daigneault and then executed by the players should give fans in Oklahoma City a tremendous amount of confidence. This group is clearly ready for these types of moments.