Fox and Barnes lead Spurs to 111-101 win over Grizzlies without Wembanyama or Morant

On a Tuesday night in San Antonio, the San Antonio Spurs didn’t need Victor Wembanyama to beat the Memphis Grizzlies. They just needed De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes to take over — and they did, in spectacular fashion. The Spurs won 111-101 at the Frost Bank Center on November 18, 2025, despite both teams being without their franchise cornerstones. Wembanyama, out with a left calf strain confirmed by MRI, and Ja Morant, sidelined for undisclosed reasons, were conspicuously absent. And yet, the Spurs didn’t just survive — they thrived.

Fourth-quarter fury erases rebounding deficit

The Grizzlies came into the game with a clear advantage: rebounding. With Wembanyama out, Memphis dominated the glass, outrebounding San Antonio 59-38. They turned those misses into 22 second-chance points — a number that should have been a death sentence. But basketball isn’t always about size. It’s about timing. And in the final 12 minutes, the Spurs turned the tide with ruthless efficiency. They outscored Memphis 25-14 in the fourth quarter, turning what looked like a blowout in the making into a gritty, defining win.

Here’s the thing: the Spurs didn’t win because they played perfect basketball. They won because they didn’t panic. Down 10 with six minutes left, they didn’t force threes. They didn’t rush. They trusted their execution. Barnes, who had been quietly effective all night, delivered the knockout punch. Seven straight points — a running hook, a floater from the baseline, then a deep three — all in under 40 seconds. The crowd roared. The Grizzlies froze. The lead was 107-101 with 53.2 seconds left. Game over.

Stars stepped up — and the depth held

De’Aaron Fox, acquired in a blockbuster trade last offseason, showed why he’s now the engine of this Spurs team. He finished with 26 points, three assists, three threes, and two steals — all while playing through the physicality of Memphis’ defense. Barnes, the veteran forward who once won a title with the Warriors, was even more vital. His 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting included four three-pointers, and he was a +18 in 34 minutes. Keldon Johnson added 18 points, and Luke Kornet chipped in 10 points and 6.5 rebounds off the bench. The Spurs’ starting five didn’t have a single All-Star, yet they outplayed a team that, on paper, had more talent.

For Memphis, Cedric Coward led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points. But the Grizzlies’ offense stalled when the shot clock wound down. Their bench, usually a strength, managed just 17 points. And despite having six players on the injury report — according to AM 1300 THE ZONE — they still entered the game as favorites. The numbers didn’t lie: without Morant, the Grizzlies are 76-93 since he became a starter. This loss? It wasn’t just a defeat. It was a pattern.

Wembanyama’s absence changes everything — again

The Spurs are now 10-4 on the season, winners of two straight and five of their last seven. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: they’re 18-31 without Wembanyama. That’s not a fluke. That’s a system built around him. Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, both sidelined with calf and hip flexor strains, join Wembanyama on the shelf. All three are expected to miss two to three weeks. That’s nearly a quarter of the season.

Yet, the Spurs are finding ways. Coach Gregg Popovich didn’t have a superstar to lean on. So he leaned on structure. On ball movement. On defense that rotated like clockwork. The Grizzlies had the size. The Spurs had the discipline. And in the end, discipline won.

What’s next for both teams?

Memphis heads to Sacramento on November 20, 2025, with their losing streak at five games. Vince Williams Jr. said after a morning shootaround that he’d make sure Zach Edey gets more touches — a small sign that the Grizzlies are scrambling for answers. Edey, who had just 13 points in his lone appearance against San Antonio, remains underutilized. The team’s identity is fraying.

San Antonio, meanwhile, keeps rolling. They’ve got a tough stretch ahead — road games in Oklahoma City, Denver, and Phoenix — but they’re proving something important: they don’t need Wembanyama to be great. They just need Fox to be aggressive, Barnes to be smart, and the rest to believe.

Historical context: When stars fall, systems rise

This isn’t the first time a team overcame star absences. In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks won the title without Khris Middleton for 14 games. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors won it all without Kawhi Leonard for most of the playoffs. But those were playoff teams with elite depth. The Spurs? They’re rebuilding. And yet, they’re 10-4. That’s not luck. That’s leadership.

The Grizzlies, by contrast, have become a team that looks lost without Morant. His absence isn’t just about scoring — it’s about rhythm. He’s the conductor. Without him, the offense becomes a solo act with no sheet music.