The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just win on November 18, 2025 — they rewrote the script of a game that looked lost. Down by one point entering the fourth quarter, the Spurs unleashed an 11-0 run that silenced the Memphis Grizzlies and sealed a 111-101 victory at their home court in San Antonio, Texas. The hero? Not one, but two veterans who refused to let their team’s injury-riddled season fade into irrelevance.
When the Bench Warmed Up, the Spurs Came Alive
It started with chaos. The Grizzlies opened the game with an 8-0 run — fast breaks, drives, and a pair of threes from bench player Spencer. San Antonio looked sluggish, out of sync. But then came Carter Bryant’s three-pointer, a quiet spark that flipped the script. By the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies clung to a 24-23 lead, thanks to a pair of free throws by Williams. Harrison Barnes, meanwhile, had 11 points — all of them in the first half — keeping the Spurs alive when their stars were silent.
Without Victor Wembanyama (strained calf) and Stephon Castle (strained hip flexor), the Spurs lacked size and playmaking. The Grizzlies, missing superstar Ja Morant (sprained ankle), leaned on interior scoring, racking up 28 first-half points in the paint. But defense alone doesn’t win games. Execution does. And in the fourth, the Spurs found theirs.
The Decisive Run: Barnes, Fox, and the Art of the Clutch
With 9:32 left, the Grizzlies led 87-86. The crowd held its breath. Then came the run — no timeouts, no mercy. Harrison Barnes, 33, turned back the clock. First, a driving hook shot over two defenders. Then, a step-back fadeaway from the elbow. Finally, with 53 seconds left, a three-pointer from the right wing — clean, cold, and completely unexpected.
That shot made it 107-101. The arena erupted. Keldon Johnson answered with a smooth runner in the lane. Then, De'Aaron Fox — who’d been quiet in the first half — stole the inbounds pass near midcourt, sprinted the length of the floor, and finished with a thunderous two-handed dunk. Game over. The Spurs had turned a one-point deficit into a 10-point win in under three minutes.
Fox finished with 26 points — 22 of them in the second half. Barnes added 23 on 9-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-8 from deep. Their combined 49 points accounted for nearly half of San Antonio’s total. And they did it without the luxury of a healthy roster.
Analysts and the Quiet Rise of Veteran Leadership
On NBC Sports’ ‘NBA Showtime’ broadcast, analysts Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony broke down the sequence after Barnes’ three-pointer. "De’AARON FOX KICKED IT. HARRISON BARNES, KICKED IT," Melo said. "When you have those two guys out there on the court at any given time, they can break a game open."
That’s the unspoken truth of this Spurs team. They’re not flashy. They’re not young. But they’re gritty. And they’re learning how to win without Wemby. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are still searching for identity. Cedric Coward’s 19-point, 11-rebound double-double wasn’t enough. Spencer’s early spark fizzled. And without Morant, their engine stalled.
What This Means for the Spurs’ Season
With the win, San Antonio improved to 10-4 — the best record in the Western Conference at the time. That’s not a fluke. It’s a statement. Without their two best young players, they’re still winning. Barnes and Fox aren’t just filling gaps — they’re becoming the new core. Devin Vassell and Kelly Olynyk chipped in 10 points each. Keldon Johnson added 18. This wasn’t a two-man show. It was a team effort… led by two veterans who refused to let the moment pass.
Compare this to last season’s Spurs, who often folded under pressure. Now, they’re closing. They’re confident. And they’re doing it with a roster that looks nothing like the one fans expected.
What’s Next?
The Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 20, 2025 — a chance to extend their home winning streak. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies head to Dallas with a 4-11 record, staring at another long road trip. Ja Morant’s return date remains uncertain. Wembanyama’s rehab timeline is still unclear. But in San Antonio, something’s shifting. The future isn’t just waiting anymore — it’s being built, one clutch shot at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did De'Aaron Fox manage to score 22 points in the second half?
Fox was largely contained in the first half, held to just four points as the Grizzlies focused on limiting his drives. But in the second half, he exploited mismatches created by the Spurs’ ball movement and used screens to get open for mid-range jumpers and transition opportunities. His 22 second-half points came on 9-of-14 shooting, including three three-pointers, with most coming after steals or offensive rebounds.
Why was Harrison Barnes so effective in the fourth quarter?
Barnes thrived because the Grizzlies’ defense overplayed the paint, expecting drives from Fox or Johnson. He capitalized on the space left on the perimeter, using his veteran footwork to create separation. His three consecutive scoring plays — hook, fadeaway, three — were all uncontested because defenders rotated late. He’s shot 48% from deep this season, and his timing couldn’t have been better.
How did the Spurs win without Wembanyama and Castle?
San Antonio shifted to a smaller, faster lineup with Barnes at power forward and Olynyk as the primary interior presence. They prioritized perimeter defense and forced Memphis into tough mid-range shots. The Spurs also outrebounded the Grizzlies 45-39, led by Barnes’ five boards and Johnson’s aggressive glass work. It wasn’t about size — it was about hustle and spacing.
What impact did the absence of Ja Morant have on the Grizzlies?
Morant’s absence robbed Memphis of its primary playmaker and clutch scorer. Without him, the Grizzlies struggled to generate high-percentage looks in the half-court, settling for contested jumpers. Their offense averaged just 0.89 points per possession in the fourth quarter — well below their season average of 1.12. They had no one to create for others when the shot clock wound down.
Is this win a sign the Spurs can compete for a playoff spot?
Absolutely. At 10-4, the Spurs are tied for the 4th-best record in the West. Even without Wembanyama, their depth and veteran leadership are holding up. Fox and Barnes are playing like All-Stars, and the bench is contributing consistently. If they stay healthy and keep closing games like this, they’re not just making the playoffs — they’re a dark horse contender.
What did the NBA’s official app say about the game highlights?
The NBA’s app promoted the highlights with the tagline, "Never miss a moment," and featured Barnes’ final three as the top clip. The YouTube video, uploaded on November 19, 2025, included the fan-commented phrase, "Uncle Barnes coming in clutch!" — a nod to his veteran status. With over 250 comments in under 24 hours, the clip became one of the most discussed moments of the week.