Spurs edge Grizzlies 111-101 as Barnes delivers clutch late surge

Nov, 21 2025

The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a gritty 111-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio — not with their stars, but with grit, experience, and one unforgettable minute.

When the Stars Are Out, Role Players Step Up

Neither team had their franchise cornerstone. The Spurs were missing Victor Wembanyama, their 7-foot-4 defensive anchor and offensive fulcrum. The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant, their electric point guard and engine. What followed wasn’t a blowout or a shootout — it was a battle of the backups, the veterans, the guys who usually play second fiddle.

And in that void, Harrison Barnes, 33, became the story.

Barnes’ Miracle Minute

With 1:10 left and the Spurs trailing 101-100, the game hung by a thread. De'Aaron Fox, the Spurs’ 27-year-old point guard, missed a tough floater. Then he missed a three. The crowd held its breath. Then Barnes took over.

First, a running hook shot over two defenders. 103-101. Then, a short floater off the glass, barely brushing the rim. 105-101. Finally, with 53.2 seconds left, he caught the ball at the top of the key, stepped back, and buried a three-pointer — the kind you see in highlight reels, not in regular-season games where the stakes feel like they’re falling apart.

Seven points. Three possessions. No time left on the shot clock. Just ice in his veins.

"Barnes, after a couple De'Aaron Fox misses, goes on a 7-0 spurt of his own. A hook shot, a fadeaway, and then a three. Bing, bang, boom," said Casey Viera, co-host of the Locked On Spurs podcast. "That’s veteran basketball. No panic. Just execution."

Fox Leads, But the Team Carries Him

Fox finished with 26 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals on 10-of-20 shooting. He was the engine, but he wasn’t the finisher — not tonight. He needed help. And he got it.

Keldon Johnson, 25, added 18 points and 7 rebounds. Center Kelly Olynyk, 33, chipped in 10 crucial points. The Spurs shot 48% from the field overall and a blistering 56% in the second half, despite missing their two best perimeter defenders: Dylan Harper (calf strain) and Stephon Castle (hip flexor), both sidelined for 2-3 weeks.

Grizzlies’ Dominance in the Paint Wasn’t Enough

Memphis outrebounded San Antonio 59-38. They had 22 second-chance points. They were supposed to win this game just by brute force. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points and 6 boards. But when the game mattered most, their offense froze.

The Grizzlies scored just 14 points in the final quarter. After leading by as many as 10 in the first half, they went 3-of-12 from the field in the fourth. No one stepped up to answer Barnes. No one made a play.

"They had every advantage," said Devin Brown, NBA champion and Locked On Spurs co-host. "But when you’re missing your best player, and your opponent’s veteran makes three straight impossible shots? You can’t out-rebound your way out of that."

What This Means for Both Teams

The win improved the Spurs to 10-4 on the season — a remarkable record for a team without Wembanyama. But here’s the twist: they’re now 18-31 in games he’s missed. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a pattern. They’re learning how to win without him. And that’s dangerous.

For the Grizzlies, the loss dropped them to 4-11. Their five-game skid is now the longest of the season. They’re 76-93 in games Morant has missed since 2021. The numbers don’t lie — they’re not just a team without their star. They’re a team that doesn’t know how to function without him.

Their next game is Thursday, November 20, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings at the FedExForum. The Spurs, meanwhile, host the Atlanta Hawks at the Frost Bank Center on the same night.

Looking Ahead: Can San Antonio Sustain This?

The Spurs aren’t a playoff team without Wembanyama. But they’re no longer just a development squad. They’re building a culture of resilience. Barnes, Olynyk, Johnson — they’re not stars, but they’re playing like leaders. Fox is growing into a true captain. If they can keep this momentum, even in his absence, it changes everything.

Meanwhile, Memphis needs answers. Who steps up when Morant’s out? Who takes the last shot? Right now, the answer is still, "Nobody."

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Spurs win without Victor Wembanyama?

The Spurs won by leaning on veteran leadership and timely scoring. Harrison Barnes delivered a 7-0 personal run in the final minute, while De'Aaron Fox and Keldon Johnson provided consistent offense. They shot 56% in the second half and limited turnovers to just 9, compensating for Wembanyama’s absence by playing smarter, not harder.

Why did the Grizzlies lose despite dominating the boards?

Memphis grabbed 59 rebounds and scored 22 second-chance points, but their offense collapsed in the fourth quarter, going 3-of-12 from the field. Without Ja Morant to create shots, they relied too heavily on isolation plays. When Barnes took over, no one on Memphis could match his poise or scoring efficiency in crunch time.

What’s the significance of Harrison Barnes’ performance?

At 33, Barnes is a role player who rarely carries a team. But his 23-point, 5-rebound night — capped by a 7-0 personal run — showed he’s still a reliable closer. His three straight scores in 28 seconds turned a one-point deficit into a six-point lead, proving veteran experience can outweigh youth and athleticism when the game is on the line.

How does this loss impact the Grizzlies’ playoff chances?

With a 4-11 record and a five-game losing streak, Memphis is now firmly out of playoff contention unless Morant returns soon. They’re 76-93 in games he’s missed since 2021, and without him, they lack offensive structure. Their next three games are against playoff-caliber teams — they’ll need a miracle to turn things around.

Are the Spurs a real contender this season?

Not yet. But their 10-4 record without Wembanyama is unprecedented for the franchise. They’re not just surviving — they’re winning with depth and discipline. If Wembanyama returns healthy, this team could be a dangerous 5-8 seed. For now, they’re proving they’re more than a one-man show.

When will Wembanyama and Morant return?

Wembanyama’s return timeline is still undetermined, but the Spurs are taking a cautious approach. Morant’s absence is due to a lingering knee issue, and Memphis has not given a firm date. Both teams are treating their returns as long-term decisions, not rushed comebacks — which could impact their entire season trajectories.