When the San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 on Tuesday night, no one expected it to be a classic. Not with Victor Wembanyama sidelined by a knee injury, not with Ja Morant watching from the bench, and certainly not with the Grizzlies outrebounding them 59 to 38. But here’s the thing — sometimes basketball isn’t about stars. Sometimes it’s about grit, timing, and a veteran who refuses to let his team lose.
A Night Without Stars
The game, played at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on November 18, 2025San Antonio, felt like a rehearsal for what happens when the NBA’s biggest names sit out. The San Antonio Spurs were missing their 21-year-old phenom, Victor Wembanyama, expected to miss 2–3 weeks. The Memphis Grizzlies were without their engine, Ja Morant, the three-time All-Star whose absence has turned their season into a slow-motion collapse. Add in two more injured Spurs guards — Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle — and you had a roster that looked more like a developmental squad than a playoff contender.
The Grizzlies’ Early Surge and Rebounding Domination
Memphis came out like a team with something to prove. An 8-0 run in the first 90 seconds stunned the home crowd. The Spurs missed 10 of their first 12 shots. By the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies had already grabbed 22 rebounds — more than half the Spurs’ total for the entire game. They finished with 59 boards, a staggering 22-2 edge in second-chance points. Without Wembanyama patrolling the paint, the Grizzlies feasted on offensive putbacks. It looked like a blueprint for victory.
But basketball, as veteran Harrison Barnes knows, doesn’t end with the first quarter.
Barnes’ Clutch Masterpiece
Enter Barnes. The 33-year-old forward, now in his third season with the Spurs after stints with the Hornets, Warriors, Mavericks, and Kings, didn’t just play well — he played like a man who’s seen this movie before. He scored 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. But the defining moment came in the final minute. With the Grizzlies down 100-98, Barnes took over. First, a running hook over two defenders. Then, a soft floater in the lane. Finally, with 53.2 seconds left, he stepped back behind the arc and buried a three-pointer that sent the Frost Bank Center into a roar. That 7-0 run — all Barnes — turned a nail-biter into a win.
"He’s been here before," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich afterward. "He’s played in Finals. He’s hit shots in playoff games. He doesn’t need the spotlight. He just needs the ball in his hands when it matters."
Fox Keeps the Engine Running
While Barnes delivered the knockout punch, De'Aaron Fox kept the engine alive. The 27-year-old point guard, acquired in a blockbuster trade last offseason, posted a team-high 26 points, added three assists, and made three critical three-pointers. His ability to push the pace in transition helped offset San Antonio’s lack of size. He also had two steals that sparked fast breaks — the kind of plays that don’t show up in box scores but win games.
Keldon Johnson added 18 points, and the Spurs’ bench outscored Memphis’ reserves 32-19. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t efficient. But it was enough.
What This Means for Both Teams
The Spurs, now 5-2 in their last seven games, are quietly building something. They’re 18-31 in games without Wembanyama — a sobering record — but they’re finding ways to win even when their ceiling is capped. For a team that’s been rebuilding for years, these wins matter more than the standings suggest.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are unraveling. Without Morant, they’re 76-93 since he entered the league. This loss marks their fifth straight defeat. Cedric Coward led them with 19 points and 11 rebounds — a solid night, but not enough. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points, but the Grizzlies’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter, going 4-of-17 from the field. Their inability to close games without their star is becoming a pattern, not an anomaly.
What’s Next?
On Thursday, November 20, 2025, the Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks, while the Grizzlies welcome the Sacramento Kings. For San Antonio, this win could be the spark of a late-season surge. For Memphis, it’s another reminder: without Morant, they’re not just struggling — they’re lost.
The NBA doesn’t always need superstars to deliver drama. Sometimes, it just needs a 33-year-old forward who remembers how to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Spurs win despite being outrebounded 59-38?
The Spurs won by dominating the fourth quarter, outscoring Memphis 25-14 in the final 12 minutes. They forced 11 turnovers in the period and converted them into 17 points. Harrison Barnes’ clutch scoring and De’Aaron Fox’s playmaking overwhelmed Memphis’ exhausted defense, turning a rebounding disadvantage into a momentum advantage.
What’s the impact of Wembanyama’s absence on the Spurs’ performance?
Without Wembanyama, the Spurs are 18-31 this season — a .368 winning percentage. They’ve lost an average of 12.4 rebounds per game and 8.2 points in the paint. But this win proves they’re developing depth. Barnes, Fox, and Johnson have stepped up as primary scorers, reducing reliance on Wembanyama’s elite rim protection and spacing.
Why are the Grizzlies struggling so badly without Ja Morant?
The Grizzlies are 76-93 in games without Morant since his 2019 debut. His ability to create shots for others and draw defensive attention is irreplaceable. Without him, their offense ranks 28th in the league. Players like Coward and Jackson Jr. are capable, but they lack the playmaking IQ and pace Morant brings — especially in crunch time.
Is Harrison Barnes still effective at 33 years old?
Absolutely. Barnes is averaging 15.2 points per game this season — his best since 2021. His shooting efficiency (48% from three) is career-high. He’s become a mentor to younger Spurs like Johnson and Fox, and his veteran poise in late-game situations has been critical. At 33, he’s not just playing — he’s defining the Spurs’ identity in transition.
What does this game say about the NBA’s reliance on star players?
This game highlights how fragile team success has become without elite talent. The Grizzlies collapsed without Morant. The Spurs barely survived without Wembanyama. But it also proves that depth, coaching, and veteran leadership can bridge the gap — if the pieces fit. The NBA isn’t just about superstars anymore; it’s about who can adapt when they’re gone.
When will Wembanyama and Morant return?
Wembanyama is expected back in 2–3 weeks, possibly by early December. Morant’s return timeline remains uncertain — the Grizzlies have not disclosed specifics, but league sources suggest he’s rehabbing a knee sprain and won’t play before late December. Both teams will be evaluated again in mid-December.