Spurs Outlast Grizzlies 111-101 Without Wembanyama or Morant in NBC Return

When the San Antonio Spurs edged the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 on Tuesday night at the Frost Bank Center, nobody expected the game to be this dramatic — especially without their two biggest stars. Victor Wembanyama, the 21-year-old French phenom and reigning Rookie of the Year, sat out for San Antonio. So did Ja Morant, the electrifying 25-year-old All-Star guard for Memphis. And yet, the game delivered. Not just because it was the first Memphis Grizzlies game ever broadcast on NBC since their 2001 move from Vancouver. But because it proved depth can beat star power — sometimes.

A Slow Start, Then a Surge

The Spurs opened the game looking like they’d forgotten how to shoot. Missed 10 of their first 12 attempts. Shot 17% in the first five minutes. Coach Mitch Johnson called timeout just 89 seconds in, a rare early alarm bell. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, feasted on rebounds — 14 offensive boards in the first three quarters, turning them into 22 second-chance points. At one point, Memphis was outrebounding San Antonio 47-22. It looked like a recipe for a blowout.

But basketball isn’t just about boards. It’s about who answers when it matters.

Enter De'Aaron Fox. The 27-year-old guard, acquired in a quiet summer trade, delivered 26 points with icy efficiency. He wasn’t flashy — just relentless. And then there was Harrison Barnes, the 33-year-old veteran who looked like he was playing in a playoff game. With 53.2 seconds left and the Spurs clinging to a 100-98 lead, Barnes went on a personal 7-point run: a running hook, a nine-foot floater, then a step-back three that sent the crowd into a roar. That sequence didn’t just seal the game — it defined it.

Fourth Quarter Magic

The fourth quarter was a masterclass in composure under pressure. While the Grizzlies wilted — scoring just 14 points after leading 87-86 entering the final frame — the Spurs outscored them 25-14. Keldon Johnson added 18 points, including key drives to keep Memphis’ defense honest. The Spurs’ bench, often criticized this season, contributed 34 points — led by rookie guard Jalen Williams with 11. Meanwhile, Memphis’ bench managed just 19. The difference? Execution. Timing. Belief.

Oddly enough, the Grizzlies’ rebounding edge didn’t translate to momentum. They had 59 rebounds to San Antonio’s 38 — yet still lost. Why? Turnovers. Memphis coughed up 17 balls. The Spurs turned those into 21 points. That’s not luck. That’s discipline.

A Broadcast First — and a Network Return

This wasn’t just another Tuesday night game. It was historic. The NBA returned to NBC this season after a 23-year absence. But no one thought the first Memphis Grizzlies game on the network would be without their franchise player. Or that the San Antonio Spurs — last seen on NBC in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Semifinals — would be the ones to make it memorable.

The game aired exclusively on NBC and streamed on Peacock, replacing the originally scheduled Hawks-Pistons matchup in national markets. The Suns-Trail Blazers game followed as the second half of the doubleheader. For fans who grew up watching Jordan on NBC, this felt like a callback — even if the stars were different.

What This Means for Both Teams

The Spurs now stand at 18-31 in games without Wembanyama. That’s not great. But beating a team like Memphis — even without Morant — on the road in a nationally televised game? That’s a statement. It suggests the team isn’t just surviving without their 7’4” wonder. They’re learning to win.

For Memphis, the 76-93 record without Morant tells a grim story. They’re not just dependent on him — they’re built around him. Without his playmaking, their offense stalls. Without his defensive energy, their rotations collapse. They’re a team that needs a spark — and right now, they’re running on fumes.

Both teams are in the Southwest Division. Both are fighting for playoff positioning. But only one seems to be building a future beyond one superstar. The Spurs? They’re developing a culture. The Grizzlies? They’re still waiting for someone else to step up.

What’s Next

The Spurs host the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center. The Grizzlies welcome the Sacramento Kings the same night at FedExForum in Memphis.

Wembanyama’s return date remains unclear. Morant’s is too. But if the Spurs can keep winning without him — and if Memphis can’t find a Plan B — the balance of power in the Southwest could shift faster than anyone expected.