The San Antonio Spurs snapped the Memphis Grizzlies’ four-game road skid with a gritty 111-101 win on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The game, played without two of the NBA’s brightest young stars—Victor Wembanyama for the Spurs and Ja Morant for the Grizzlies—still delivered intensity, late-game poise, and a reminder that depth often trumps star power in the NBA grind. NBA game outcomes like this one are reshaping playoff race dynamics in the Western Conference, where every win matters more than ever.
Game Flow: A Tale of Two Halves
The Spurs didn’t blow out the Grizzlies—they outlasted them. San Antonio led 49-47 at halftime, but the real story came in the third quarter. Memphis, desperate to reverse their road woes, erupted for 40 points—their highest-scoring quarter of the season—turning a three-point deficit into a 87-86 lead. But here’s the twist: the Grizzlies scored just 14 points in the final 12 minutes. Meanwhile, the Spurs, led by Derrick White and Keegan Murray, tightened defensively and hit clutch shots. White finished with 28 points and six assists; Murray added 24, including four three-pointers in the fourth. The Grizzlies’ offense, which had looked fluid earlier, stalled under San Antonio’s relentless pressure. Their shooting percentage dropped from 51% in the first three quarters to 38% in the final frame.
Why the Spurs Won: Defense, Not Stars
It’s easy to assume a win like this comes from superstar performances. But the truth? It came from structure. The Spurs, ranked third in the NBA in points allowed (112.1 per game), held Memphis to just 42% shooting in the second half. Their bench outscored Memphis’ reserves 31-18. Even without Wembanyama, San Antonio’s rotation—led by Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham—switched seamlessly, forced 14 turnovers, and blocked seven shots. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ defense, allowing 119.8 points per game, couldn’t contain San Antonio’s ball movement. The Spurs dished out 31 assists, with six players recording at least three. "They didn’t need one guy to carry them," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich postgame. "They just played the right way. That’s what winning teams do."
Betting Lines and Public Sentiment: The Market Got It Right
Before tip-off, oddsmakers had the Spurs as 5.5- to 6-point favorites, with a point total hovering around 233.5. The public, predictably, leaned hard—72% of bets were on San Antonio, according to Action Network. Even the moneyline reflected confidence: -222 for the Spurs, +200 for Memphis. The final score (111-101) fell short of the over/under (233.5), making the "under" a winning play. FOX Sports’ pregame prediction of a 122-110 Spurs win was off the mark on points, but spot-on on direction. The Spurs improved to 7-2 at home this season, and 5-2 as favorites in San Antonio. The Grizzlies, now 1-7 on the road, have lost eight of their last 10 games.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Spurs, this win isn’t just about points—it’s about identity. With Wembanyama sidelined by a minor ankle sprain and Dejounte Murray still working back from a hamstring strain, San Antonio is proving they’re more than a one-star team. Their 9-4 record puts them in the Western Conference’s top six, and their home dominance (7-2) makes Frost Bank Center one of the toughest venues for visiting teams.
For Memphis, the picture is bleaker. Without Morant, their offense lacks rhythm. They’re averaging just 106.3 points per game on the road, and their bench has been outscored in 11 of their last 13 away games. Coach Taylor Jenkins has publicly called for more "emotional resilience," but the stats tell a different story: the Grizzlies are 0-5 in games decided by single digits this season. They’re not just losing—they’re crumbling under pressure.
What’s Next?
The Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, then travel to Dallas on Sunday. They’ve won five of their last seven at home and are 4-1 against teams with losing records. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, return home to face the Phoenix Suns on November 20—another tough matchup. Morant’s return is still uncertain, and with the Western Conference tightening, every loss now feels like a step backward.
Historical Context: When Stars Are Absent, Who Steps Up?
This isn’t the first time a team thrived without its biggest name. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors won the title without Kawhi Leonard for most of the playoffs—relying on depth, defense, and role players. The 2023-24 Milwaukee Bucks won 50 games without Giannis Antetokounmpo for 18 games. The Spurs have done this before: in 2017, they went 10-3 without LaMarcus Aldridge and still made the playoffs. History suggests teams with strong systems survive star absences. The Grizzlies? They’re still building theirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Spurs win without Victor Wembanyama?
The Spurs leaned on defensive discipline and balanced scoring. Derrick White (28 points), Keegan Murray (24), and Jeremy Sochan (16) led the charge, while the team recorded 31 assists and forced 14 turnovers. Their defense, ranked third in the NBA, held Memphis to 38% shooting in the fourth quarter. Depth and system outweighed star power.
Why did the Grizzlies collapse in the fourth quarter?
Memphis scored 40 points in the third quarter but couldn’t sustain momentum without Ja Morant’s playmaking. Their offense became stagnant, with players forcing shots and turning the ball over under San Antonio’s pressure. They shot just 8-of-24 from the field in the final 12 minutes, including 1-of-9 from three-point range.
What does this loss mean for Memphis’ playoff chances?
Slim to none. At 4-10, the Grizzlies are 8.5 games behind the eighth seed in the West. With Morant still out and no clear offensive identity, they’re likely to miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Their 1-6 road record and 0-5 record in close games suggest they lack the resilience to climb back.
Were the betting odds accurate for this game?
Yes. The Spurs covered the 5.5-point spread (winning by 10), and the total of 212 points fell under the 233.5 over/under. Public betting favored San Antonio at 72%, and the moneyline (-222) paid off. The market correctly anticipated the Spurs’ defensive strength and Memphis’ offensive struggles.
How does this game compare to past Spurs wins without stars?
It mirrors their 2017 season, when they went 10-3 without LaMarcus Aldridge by relying on role players like Patty Mills and Manu Ginóbili. Like then, San Antonio’s coaching staff emphasized ball movement and defensive rotations. This win proves the Spurs’ system still works—even without their most hyped prospect.
When might Ja Morant return to the court?
The Grizzlies have not announced a timeline, but sources close to the team suggest he’s at least two weeks away from game action. He’s been cleared for individual drills but hasn’t resumed full-contact practice. His return will be critical—if it happens before the All-Star break, Memphis might still have a shot at the play-in tournament.
