Fox and Barnes lead Spurs past Grizzlies 111-101 despite Wembanyama, Morant absence
Nov, 21 2025
When the San Antonio Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 on Tuesday night at Frost Bank Center, no one expected it to be a statement win. Not with Victor Wembanyama sidelined, not with Ja Morant out, and certainly not after San Antonio shot 17% in the first quarter. But here we are: the Spurs, without their 7-foot-4 All-Star center, clawed back from a 22-point rebounding deficit and a 10-point fourth-quarter hole to pull off one of the most resilient wins of the season. And it wasn’t luck. It was grit. It was De'Aaron Fox hitting tough mid-range jumpers. It was Harrison Barnes turning into a closer when the game mattered most.
They Were Down, But Not Out
The game started like a bad dream for San Antonio. Memphis opened with an 8-0 run. The Spurs missed their first 10 shots. Coach Mitch Johnson called timeout with 89 seconds gone. By the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies led 24-23 — not a blowout, but a brutal, suffocating start. The Spurs looked lost without Wembanyama’s rim protection and spacing. Memphis, playing with desperation, grabbed 18 rebounds in the first half alone. They turned those into 14 second-chance points. The scoreboard didn’t lie: 59-38 in total rebounds. The Grizzlies were dominating the paint, and they knew it.The Turnaround: Fourth Quarter Magic
But here’s the twist: the Grizzlies forgot how to play defense in the final 12 minutes. And the Spurs? They remembered how to win. San Antonio outscored Memphis 25-14 in the fourth quarter. That’s not just a run — that’s a statement. De'Aaron Fox was surgical: 26 points, 3 threes, 3 steals, and zero turnovers in the final period. He didn’t just score; he dictated pace, pulled up from 22 feet, and found open shooters when the defense collapsed. Then came Barnes — the quiet assassin. With 53.2 seconds left and the Spurs up just 100-98, he scored seven straight points: a spinning hook, a floater over two defenders, then a dagger three from the corner. The crowd roared. The Grizzlies didn’t have an answer.Who Stepped Up? The Unsung Heroes
This wasn’t a two-man show. Keldon Johnson added 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting, hitting key baskets when the offense stalled. The Spurs’ bench outscored Memphis’s 28-17, with rookie guard Malik Williams adding 9 crucial points off the pine. San Antonio shot 48.3% from the field, 38.1% from deep — a remarkable turnaround from their first-quarter slump. They made 11 of 13 free throws. They turned 10 turnovers into just 9 points for Memphis. That’s discipline. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies had their moments. Cedric Coward — a player most fans had never heard of before this season — dropped 19 points and 11 rebounds. He played like a man trying to carry his team on his back. But without Morant to create late-game offense, Memphis had no answer when the Spurs tightened up. They missed their last five field goals. Their final shot, a contested three from Desmond Bane, clanked off the rim with 12 seconds left.What This Means for Both Teams
The Spurs are now 10-4. That’s not a typo. They’re above .500 despite missing their franchise player for 14 of 14 games. The numbers are staggering: without Wembanyama, San Antonio is 18-31 since he arrived. This season? They’re flipping the script. They’re learning to win ugly. To win without him. That’s a cultural shift. For Memphis, the loss drops them to 4-11. They’re 76-93 without Morant since he entered the league. That’s not a fluke — it’s a pattern. They can out-rebound anyone. They can outmuscle anyone. But when the game slows down, when the clock winds down, they fall apart. They’re built for physicality, not precision. And in the NBA playoffs, precision wins.
What’s Next?
Both teams play Thursday night. The Grizzlies host the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum in Memphis. The Spurs welcome the Atlanta Hawks back to Frost Bank Center. For San Antonio, the question isn’t whether they can win without Wembanyama — it’s whether they can stay in the playoff race without him. For Memphis, the question is simpler: can they ever win without Morant?Behind the Stats
- Spurs shot 42-for-87 from the field (48.3%)- Made 16 of 42 threes (38.1%)
- 16 assists, 10 turnovers, 9 blocks
- Grizzlies: 59 rebounds, 22 second-chance points
- San Antonio: 25-14 edge in fourth quarter
- Barnes: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 threes — 7 straight points to seal it
- Fox: 26 points, 3 steals, 3 assists — clutch in every sense
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Spurs win without Wembanyama’s rebounding?
The Spurs didn’t win by matching Memphis’s rebounding — they won by limiting second-chance opportunities after the first half. They focused on defensive rotations, forced contested shots, and capitalized on Memphis’s late-game shooting slump. Their 9 blocks and 3 steals disrupted rhythm, and their 25-14 fourth-quarter surge erased the 22-point advantage the Grizzlies built on the glass.
Why is Harrison Barnes so effective in clutch moments?
Barnes has spent his career as a high-IQ forward who thrives in isolation and mid-range situations. He doesn’t need the ball constantly — he reads defenses, moves without it, and has a smooth, high-arcing floater that’s nearly impossible to block. Against Memphis, he took advantage of the Grizzlies’ tendency to collapse on Fox, then hit open shots. His seven straight points were textbook clutch execution.
What does this mean for the Spurs’ playoff chances?
With a 10-4 record, San Antonio is firmly in the Western Conference conversation. Even without Wembanyama, they’re playing with confidence and cohesion. If they maintain this level of play — especially from Fox and Barnes — they could sneak into the play-in tournament. Their schedule softens in December, and if they stay healthy, they’re more than just a spoiler.
Why can’t the Grizzlies win without Ja Morant?
Memphis relies on Morant’s elite playmaking and ability to break down defenses in isolation. Without him, they lack a true creator in the half-court. Cedric Coward and Desmond Bane are scorers, not facilitators. When the shot clock winds down, they often settle for tough jumpers instead of creating for others. That’s why they’re 76-93 without him — they’re built for fast breaks and transition, not slow, methodical wins.
Is this win a sign the Spurs can compete without Wembanyama?
Yes — and that’s the real story. This wasn’t a fluke. They’ve now won three straight without him, and their offensive efficiency has improved. Fox is playing like a true All-Star. Barnes is a revelation as a closer. The bench is contributing. They’re not just surviving — they’re adapting. If Wembanyama returns healthy, this team could be dangerous. If not, they’ve proven they don’t need him to be competitive.
What’s the biggest takeaway from this game?
The biggest takeaway? Basketball isn’t just about stars. It’s about who steps up when the spotlight hits. The Spurs didn’t have their franchise center. The Grizzlies didn’t have their franchise point guard. But San Antonio found a way to win because their role players believed. Memphis didn’t — and that’s why they’re still searching for identity.