The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just beat the Memphis Grizzlies — they broke their spirit. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST, the Spurs pulled away in the final minutes for a 111-101 victory at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, handing Memphis its fifth straight loss and deepening the cracks in what was once a promising season. The win improved San Antonio’s home record to 6-1 and cemented their place as one of the Western Conference’s most consistent teams, while the Grizzlies now sit at 4-10 — a team unraveling under injuries, fatigue, and a troubling inability to close games.
A Fourth-Quarter Surge That Broke Memphis
The game wasn’t pretty. It was messy, physical, and full of momentum swings — until the final minutes. With the Grizzlies clinging to a 101-100 lead at the 3:13 mark of the fourth quarter, it looked like Memphis might finally snap its skid. But then came the 11-0 run — a cold-blooded sequence led by De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. Fox, who finished with 26 points and three three-pointers, hit a step-back jumper over Jaren Jackson Jr. Then Barnes, hitting 4 of 8 from deep, drained a corner three that sent the crowd into a roar. A steal by Fox led to a fast-break layup by Devin Vassell. The Grizzlies didn’t score again until the final 27 seconds.
That run didn’t come out of nowhere. The Spurs had been building toward it all night. After trailing by as many as eight points in the second quarter, they clawed back with disciplined defense and smart ball movement. San Antonio’s bench, often overlooked, outscored Memphis’ reserves 34-19 — a quiet but decisive advantage.
Numbers That Tell the Real Story
Stats don’t lie, but they don’t always tell the whole truth. The Spurs shot 49.7% from the field — 1.4 percentage points better than the Grizzlies’ league-worst defensive mark of 48.3%. Memphis, meanwhile, shot just 42.0% and missed 13 of their 28 three-point attempts. Their season average of 12.9 made threes? They were 1.3 below that. Their 107.8 points per game? They were 9.7 points below that in this one.
And then there’s the defensive gap. The Spurs, allowing just 112.1 points per game this season, held Memphis to 101 — and did it while forcing 14 turnovers. The Grizzlies, who entered the game averaging 8.0 steals, managed only five. Their 3.6 blocks per game? They had two. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s 18.2 fast-break points per game — the sixth-highest in the league — came alive in the fourth, with Vassell alone accounting for 7 of them.
Injuries and the Weight of Expectations
The Grizzlies’ collapse isn’t just about missed shots. It’s about missing people. Franchise cornerstone Jaren Jackson Jr., averaging 17.9 points, looked hobbled and hesitant. Center Zach Edey, who’s been a bright spot with 13 points and 7 rebounds per game, was doubled every time he touched the ball. And the injuries? They’re piling up. Memphis has lost key rotation players to ankle sprains, hamstring strains, and even a mysterious illness that sidelined two guards for a week.
San Antonio’s situation isn’t perfect — Victor Wembanyama remains day-to-day with a calf strain, and backup guard Dylan Harper is out with a calf injury — but the Spurs have depth. They’ve built a system that doesn’t rely on one superstar. Fox is playing like an All-Star, Barnes is the ultimate glue guy, and rookie guard Keldon Johnson is quietly becoming one of the league’s most efficient scorers off the bench.
Home Court Advantage in Full Force
At Frost Bank Center, the Spurs are 6-1 this season. The crowd? Electric. The energy? Different. Fans here know how to turn a close game into a statement. And on Tuesday, they did just that. The Spurs have now won 11 of their last 13 home games dating back to last season. That’s not luck. That’s culture.
Meanwhile, Memphis is 1-5 on the road — and their road record against Western Conference opponents? 0-4. They haven’t won a game outside the Mid-South since October 29. The pattern is clear: when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest, they fold.
What’s Next?
The Grizzlies face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday — a team that just beat the Lakers by 22. If they lose, it’ll be six straight. And if they lose by double digits? The season could spiral into chaos. The Spurs, meanwhile, host the Denver Nuggets on Friday. A win there would put them in the top three in the West — and make them serious contenders for the top seed.
One thing’s certain: this isn’t just a game. It’s a turning point. For Memphis, it’s a wake-up call. For San Antonio, it’s validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has De’Aaron Fox’s performance changed the Spurs’ season?
De’Aaron Fox has transformed from a solid playmaker into a true lead guard for the Spurs. His 26-point performance against Memphis was his sixth 25+ point game this season, and he’s averaging 24.1 points and 7.3 assists since November 1. His ability to create his own shot in crunch time has turned close games into wins — a key reason San Antonio is 7-1 in games decided by 5 points or fewer.
Why are the Grizzlies struggling so badly on the road?
Memphis is 1-5 away this season, and their road defense has collapsed — opponents are scoring 124.6 points per game against them on the road, compared to 108.9 at home. Their lack of perimeter rotation and poor transition defense have been exposed in hostile arenas. Without consistent bench scoring and a reliable third option besides Jackson Jr., they collapse under pressure.
What’s the impact of Victor Wembanyama’s absence on the Spurs?
Though Wembanyama hasn’t played since November 5, the Spurs have actually improved defensively, allowing 108.3 points per game without him — down from 114.7 with him. His absence has forced a faster, more aggressive style. Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan have stepped up, and the team’s ball movement has improved. But long-term, his return will be critical for playoff matchups against elite big men.
How does this loss affect Memphis’ playoff chances?
With a 4-10 record and a -9.7 point differential, the Grizzlies are 10 games behind the 8th seed in the West. Even if they win their next five, they’d still need a 14-3 run just to reach .500 — and the West is deeper than ever. Without major trades or a health turnaround, their playoff hopes are fading fast. The next two weeks could decide whether they rebuild or retool.
Why did the Spurs’ defense win this game?
San Antonio forced Memphis into 14 turnovers, including 7 in the fourth quarter alone. They switched effectively on screens, denied entry passes to Edey, and rotated perfectly on the perimeter. The Grizzlies shot just 38.5% in the final 12 minutes — their worst quarter of the season. The Spurs’ defensive scheme, led by assistant coach Ime Udoka, has become one of the league’s most underrated systems.
What’s the historical significance of this win for the Spurs?
This was San Antonio’s 10th win of the season — their fastest start since 2017-18, when they opened 11-2. It’s also their first 6-1 home start since 2014. More importantly, it marks the first time since 2020 that the Spurs have beaten a team with a winning record on the road — and now, they’ve done it at home against a division rival. This win signals a return to form after years of rebuilding.
