Spurs Outlast Grizzlies 111-101 Without Wembanyama or Morant as Fox and Barnes Lead Late Surge
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a gritty 111-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio — and they did it without their franchise cornerstone. De’Aaron Fox, the 27-year-old point guard acquired in a blockbuster trade last summer, dropped 26 points and 3 assists, while Harrison Barnes, the veteran forward who’s seen it all, added 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. The win improved the Spurs to 10-4, a stunning start for a team many expected to rebuild. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies fell to 4-11, still searching for identity without Ja Morant. The game wasn’t pretty, but it was unforgettable.
Early Struggles, Late Fireworks
The Grizzlies came out swinging, going 8-0 in the first 89 seconds. San Antonio missed 10 of their first 12 shots. The crowd, usually electric at the Frost Bank Center, went quiet. Coach Mitch Johnson called timeout. But here’s the thing: the Spurs don’t panic. Not anymore. They’ve been here before — without Wembanyama, without structure, without the hype. And they’ve learned to grind. By halftime, they’d clawed back to a 49-47 lead. Then, in the third quarter, Memphis surged again, outscoring San Antonio 40-37 to take an 87-86 edge. The boards were a war zone: the Grizzlies grabbed 59 rebounds to the Spurs’ 38. Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. were relentless inside. But the fourth quarter? That’s when the Spurs turned it into a clinic.
Barnes’ Clutch Heroics Seal the Deal
With 2:15 left and the score tied at 100, Harrison Barnes took over. First, a running hook over two defenders. Then, a smooth floater from the baseline. Finally, a dagger three from the left wing — all in 38 seconds. Seven straight points. No assist. No drama. Just ice in his veins. The crowd roared. The Grizzlies, who’d been so composed all night, looked rattled. Cedric Coward, their 22-year-old power forward, had a monster game with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but even he couldn’t answer Barnes’ final barrage. San Antonio closed the game on an 11-0 run. One fan in Section 112 yelled, ‘They got the juice back in San Antonio. You can feel it here in Spurs land.’ And you could. The air changed.
Missing Stars, Same Old Story
Neither team had their best player. The Spurs were missing Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old French phenom whose absence has defined their season — they’re now 18-31 without him. The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, the 26-year-old electric point guard whose injury history has become a narrative of its own. They’re 76-93 without him since 2021. The numbers don’t lie: both franchises are built on fragile foundations. Memphis’ starting backcourt of Skip Williams and Cam Spencer combined for just 12 points and 6 assists. San Antonio’s bench, led by Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan, outscored Memphis’ reserves 34-22. This wasn’t about star power. It was about depth, discipline, and desperation.
The Southwest Division Shuffle
With this win, the Spurs leapfrogged the Dallas Mavericks into third place in the Southwest Division. The Mavericks, at 4-12, are struggling to find rhythm. The New Orleans Pelicans? At 2-13, they’re officially in rebuild mode. The Grizzlies? They’re last — and their road record is now 1-6. The division is a mess. But San Antonio? They’re playing with a purpose. De’Aaron Fox, once seen as a fit for Sacramento’s fast-paced system, is thriving in a slower, more deliberate offense. His mid-range game? Flawless. His leadership? Surprising. And for a team that traded for him last summer, it’s looking like a steal.
What’s Next? A Tough Road Ahead
On Thursday, November 20, the Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks — a team with playoff aspirations and a stingy defense. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, welcome the Sacramento Kings to FedExForum, a game that could define whether they’re still in contention or just going through the motions. Both teams need wins. But only one seems to believe they can get them. The Spurs, despite missing their superstar, have found something rare: cohesion. The Grizzlies? They’re still waiting for their identity to show up.
Behind the Numbers
The Spurs shot 46% from the field overall — not great, but good enough when they made their shots count. They went 11-for-28 from three (39%), with Barnes and Fox combining for 7 of those. Memphis, despite their rebounding dominance, shot just 41% and turned the ball over 17 times. The Spurs forced 14 steals, with Fox accounting for 2 and Keldon Johnson adding 3. The Grizzlies’ bench, led by Santi Aldama and Jock Landale, managed only 18 points. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s second unit, including Carter Bryant and Lindy Waters III, delivered 34 points. It was a textbook example of how depth can overcome star power — when the stars are absent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Spurs win without Victor Wembanyama?
San Antonio leaned on De’Aaron Fox’s playmaking and Harrison Barnes’ clutch shooting, while their bench outperformed Memphis’ reserves 34-18. They also forced 17 Grizzlies turnovers and closed the game on an 11-0 run. Their defense tightened in the fourth quarter, holding Memphis to just 14 points after allowing 87 through three quarters.
Why is this win significant for the Spurs’ season?
At 10-4, the Spurs are on pace for their best start since 2017. Without Wembanyama, they were expected to be lottery-bound. But this win proves they can compete with elite teams even in his absence — a sign their young core, including Fox and Keldon Johnson, is developing faster than anticipated.
What’s the impact of Ja Morant’s absence on the Grizzlies?
Without Morant, Memphis lacks a true playmaker and closer. Their offense stalls without his penetration, and their bench hasn’t filled the void. Their 4-11 record and 1-6 road mark reflect a team that’s overly reliant on one player. Skip Williams, their starter, has averaged just 7.2 points and 3.1 assists in Morant’s absence.
How do the Spurs’ rebounding numbers compare to their usual performance?
Normally, the Spurs average 45 rebounds per game. In this game, they were outrebounded 59-38 — their worst rebounding margin of the season. But they made up for it with defense and transition scoring, turning Memphis’ second-chance opportunities into fast-break points. It’s a risky strategy, but one that worked because their guards were aggressive.
What does this result mean for the Southwest Division race?
The division is wide open. The Spurs are now just 1.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks, and the New Orleans Pelicans are 8.5 games back. With Memphis struggling and San Antonio playing with confidence, the Spurs could surge into contention if they maintain their current form — especially with Wembanyama expected to return in late December.
Is Harrison Barnes still effective at 33 years old?
Absolutely. Barnes is averaging 19.4 points per game this season, his best since 2021. His shooting efficiency (48% from three) and late-game poise have made him a vital piece. He’s not just a role player anymore — he’s the Spurs’ most reliable scorer in clutch moments, proving veteran leadership still matters in today’s NBA.