Wembanyama sits out, Spurs still top Grizzlies 111-101

The San Antonio Spurs proved their depth on November 18, 2025, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 111–101 in a regular season home game at Frost Bank Center — without Victor Wembanyama, ruled out along with Stephon Castle, forcing the roster to step up in a nationally televised matchup NBC had flexed into prime time precisely because of the French phenom’s star power.

Fox and Barnes Take the Wheel: How the Spurs Built a 10-Point Win

San Antonio established its rhythm early, leaning on De’Aaron Fox’s relentless drives and Harrison Barnes’s smooth mid-range efficiency. Fox, the veteran point guard acquired to complement the n°1 pick of the 2023 draft, shot 10-of-20 from the floor for a game-high 26 points, adding 3 assists and 2 steals. Barnes was equally sharp, connecting on 9-of-14 attempts — including 4 three-pointers — to finish with 23 points and 5 rebounds. Memphis tried to hang around behind Jaren Jackson Jr. and a surprise offensive performance from C. Coward, but the Grizzlies never fully closed the gap.

The third quarter was where San Antonio put the game to rest. Keldon Johnson, posting a +11 plus/minus alongside Devin Vassell, brought physicality and pace off the wing. Johnson finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 8-of-15, while Vassell contributed 10 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in his 35 minutes of work. The Spurs’ collective defensive effort smothered Memphis’s transition opportunities and limited the Grizzlies — also missing Ja Morant — to 101 points.

In the fourth quarter, Kelly Olynyk sealed the deal off the bench. The veteran big man posted a remarkable +15 in just 19 minutes, chipping in 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while helping San Antonio close the door on any late Memphis rally.

Two Absences, One Statement: The Moments That Defined the Night

The most telling sequence came midway through the third quarter, when the Spurs went on an extended run with Fox initiating pick-and-roll actions and Johnson attacking the glass relentlessly. Memphis’s defense, already shorthanded without Morant, had no answers. A Barnes three-pointer — his fourth of the night — extended the lead to 17 points and effectively ended the contest as a competitive game. The Grizzlies’ best hope rested on C. Coward, whose 19-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench was quietly impressive, and on Jackson Jr.’s 18 points, but neither could generate the momentum swing Memphis desperately needed.

What Wembanyama’s Absence Reveals About San Antonio’s Ceiling

The Pivot’s Status and Next Steps

Victor Wembanyama did not play, though reports ahead of tip-off described his situation as encouraging, suggesting the injury is not considered long-term. The Spurs managed this absence with a disciplined rotation, proving that even without their franchise cornerstone, San Antonio is competitive in the Western Conference. The young pivot’s eventual return will only amplify what this group has shown it can do.

A Balanced Roster Stepping Into the Spotlight

Five Spurs players reached double figures, a testament to the team’s roster construction. The top scorers tell the story:

• De’Aaron Fox — 26 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl (33 min)
• Harrison Barnes — 23 pts, 5 reb, 4-of-8 from three (32 min)
• Keldon Johnson — 18 pts, 7 reb, +11 (30 min)
• Devin Vassell — 10 pts, 5 ast, 2 blk, +11 (35 min)
• Kelly Olynyk — 10 pts, 5 reb, +15 (19 min)

This depth provides real insurance while Wembanyama works his way back into the lineup.

Looking Ahead: The Spurs’ Place in the West

San Antonio moves forward with a 111–101 regular season victory that carries genuine weight beyond the box score. The Spurs demonstrated tactical cohesion and veteran poise in front of a national audience, reinforcing that this team is built around more than one superstar. When the French phenomenon returns to the Frost Bank Center floor, he will rejoin a group that showed it can win without him — which may be the most encouraging sign of all heading deeper into the 2025–26 season.