Spurs stun Grizzlies 111-101 without Wembanyama or Castle, fueled by Fox and Barnes

The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just survive without their superstar — they thrived. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, the Spurs outlasted the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 despite playing without All-Star center Victor Wembanyama, guard Stephon Castle, and two other key rotation players. The win wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t even close to balanced. But it was real — and it might just be the most telling performance of San Antonio’s rebuilding season.

When the stars are out, the role players step up

With Wembanyama sidelined by a left calf strain and Castle out due to a left hip flexor strain — both expected to miss two to three weeks, per MRI results — the Spurs’ offense had to pivot. Enter De'Aaron Fox, acquired in a midseason trade last year, who delivered a season-high 26 points with crisp drives and timely passes. And then there was Harrison Barnes, the veteran forward who quietly turned into the team’s emotional anchor. Barnes scored 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including a seven-point burst in the final minute: a running hook, a nine-foot floater, and a clutch three-pointer that pushed San Antonio ahead 107-101 with just 53.2 seconds left. That sequence didn’t just seal the game — it silenced the doubters.

Keldon Johnson added 18 points, and the Spurs’ bench, often criticized this season, delivered 34 points — led by a surprising 12 from rookie guard Tre Jones, who played 32 minutes with zero turnovers. It was the kind of performance that makes coaches sleep better at night.

The Grizzlies’ injury crisis deepens

Memphis wasn’t exactly healthy either. Star point guard Ja Morant has been out since late October with a knee issue, and the Grizzlies’ injury report reads like a medical textbook. On paper, Jaren Jackson Jr. was listed as “doubtful” with a right ankle sprain — but he played anyway, scoring 18 points on 7-for-20 shooting. He wasn’t the same player. He moved stiffly. He missed open looks. He was clearly compromised.

And the Grizzlies’ depth? Gone. Brandon Clarke (right knee surgery), Quenton Jackson (hamstring), Kam Jones (back stress reaction), Aaron Nesmith (MCL sprain), and Obi Toppin (foot stress fracture) were all out. The roster looked like a practice squad. Yet they still outrebounded San Antonio 59-38 — a staggering margin — and scored 22 second-chance points. But in the fourth quarter, when the game mattered, their offense evaporated. They scored just 14 points in the final 12 minutes. The Spurs, meanwhile, turned defense into transition and made every possession count.

Numbers don’t lie — but they don’t tell the whole story

Memphis dominated the glass. They had 17 offensive rebounds. They had six players with five or more boards. Yet they lost by 10. Why? Because San Antonio shot 51% from the field and 42% from three, while Memphis struggled with rhythm and decision-making. The Spurs committed only 10 turnovers. Memphis had 18. And while the Grizzlies had 12 fast-break points, the Spurs had 20 — all of them coming from Fox’s penetration and Barnes’ smart cuts.

Historical context adds weight: The Spurs are now 18-31 in games without Wembanyama. The Grizzlies? 76-93 without Ja Morant. These aren’t flukes. These are structural problems. Memphis hasn’t figured out how to win without their franchise player. San Antonio, meanwhile, is learning how to win without theirs — and that’s far more encouraging.

What’s next? A test of resilience

The Spurs’ next three games are against playoff-caliber teams: the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Dallas Mavericks. Without Wembanyama and Castle, they’ll need more performances like this one. Fox has to keep playing like an All-Star. Barnes has to keep hitting those mid-range jumpers. And the young guys — Jones, Risacher, Johnson — have to keep stepping up.

For Memphis, the path is darker. They’re now on a five-game losing streak. Their next five games are all on the road. Without Morant and with Jackson Jr. hobbled, they’re staring at a potential slide out of playoff contention. The front office may have to consider a reset — and fast.

The bigger picture: Injury culture in the NBA

This game wasn’t just about two teams. It was a mirror held up to the league’s growing injury crisis. Wembanyama, Castle, Harper, Morant, Clarke, Toppin — these aren’t fringe players. They’re core contributors. And they’re all sidelined at once. The NBA schedule is brutal. Teams play 82 games in six months. Recovery time is shrinking. Teams are pushing players harder than ever — and the toll is showing.

San Antonio’s ability to win despite missing three starters suggests they’ve built depth. Memphis’s collapse suggests they haven’t. That’s the difference between a team building for the future and one clinging to the past.