Spurs Outlast Grizzlies 111-101 Without Wembanyama as Barnes Delivers Clutch Late Surge

The San Antonio Spurs didn’t need Victor Wembanyama to win on Tuesday night. Not with Harrison Barnes hitting seven straight points in the final minute, not with De'Aaron Fox orchestrating the offense like a veteran, and certainly not when the AT&T Center was rocking with a crowd that refused to believe the game was lost. The Spurs beat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 on November 18, 2025 — despite being outrebounded 59 to 38, surrendering 22 second-chance points, and playing without their 7-foot-4 phenom. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement.

When the Star Is Gone, Others Step Up

Wembanyama’s left calf strain, confirmed by MRI on the same day as the game, was the story everyone expected to dominate headlines. He’s the franchise. The future. The guy who makes defenses collapse just by standing near the paint. But the Spurs didn’t fold. They adapted. And they did it with grit, not glamour. Fox, acquired in a blockbuster trade last offseason, delivered 26 points and 7 assists, calmly navigating Memphis’ aggressive double-teams. Barnes, the 32-year-old veteran who’s seen it all, turned into a late-game assassin. His sequence — a running hook, a nine-foot floater, then a step-back three — all within 18 seconds, pushed the lead to 107-101 with 53.2 seconds left. No timeouts. No drama. Just execution.

Keldon Johnson added 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting. Dylan Harper, already out with a calf strain, was the third Spurs guard sidelined. Yet head coach (name unspecified) didn’t panic. He trusted his depth. He rotated eight players in the fourth quarter. And for the first time all night, the Spurs played with cohesion.

The Grizzlies’ Struggles Run Deeper Than Morant’s Absence

Memphis, without Ja Morant for the fifth straight game, looked every bit the team in transition. Cedric Coward led them with 19 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18, and they dominated the glass like it was their birthright. But when the game mattered — when the Spurs’ defense locked in and forced tough shots — Memphis’ offense sputtered. They went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the final five minutes. Their bench, usually a spark, was silent. And when the game slipped away, you could see the frustration on coach (name unspecified)’s face. This isn’t just about missing Morant anymore. It’s about identity. After a 76-93 record without him, the Grizzlies are staring at a long, ugly rebuild.

A Team Defined by Resilience

The Spurs’ record without Wembanyama now stands at 18 wins and 31 losses — a sobering number. But this win? It changes the narrative. For the first time since his injury, they didn’t just survive. They thrived. They won with defense. With ball movement. With poise under pressure. The 25-14 fourth-quarter surge wasn’t luck. It was the result of weeks of film study, late-night shooting sessions, and a locker room that refused to quit. The YouTube highlight from the Spurs’ official channel called it “clutch shots to tough defensive stops.” That’s exactly what it was. No star. No savior. Just a team playing like a team.

And here’s the twist: the Grizzlies’ rebounding advantage — 59 boards to 38 — should’ve been the story. Instead, it became a footnote. Because in basketball, as in life, possession doesn’t always win. Execution does.

What’s Next for Both Franchises?

Wembanyama and teammate Stephon Castle (left hip flexor strain) are both expected to miss two to three weeks, with a projected return around December 9, 2025. That means the Spurs will play at least six more games without their centerpiece. But if this performance is any indication, they’re not just filling the void — they’re redefining it. Fox and Barnes are proving they can carry the load. The young core — Johnson, Tre Jones, Jeremy Sochan — are learning how to win under pressure.

For Memphis, the road gets darker. They’re now 0-5 without Morant this season. Their next five games include matchups against Denver, Phoenix, and Golden State — all top-tier teams. Without Morant’s playmaking and defensive intensity, they’re vulnerable. And with no clear replacement on the horizon, the Grizzlies may be looking at another lottery pick next summer.

Behind the Numbers: Why This Game Matters

- The Spurs’ 25-14 fourth-quarter scoring edge was their largest in any quarter this season.
- Barnes’ seven straight points were the longest personal scoring run by a Spurs player in the final minute since DeMar DeRozan in 2022.
- Memphis has now lost 11 of their last 13 games when outrebounded by 15+ boards.
- San Antonio’s win marked their fifth in seven games, their best stretch since the 2022-23 season.
- The Grizzlies’ 76-93 record without Morant is the worst win-loss record for any NBA team without its primary star since the 2018-19 Warriors without Curry.