Wembanyama absent, Barnes & Fox lead Spurs past Grizzlies 126-119

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 126-119 on December 2, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center in a regular season showdown — but the night’s biggest storyline arrived before tip-off: Victor Wembanyama was ruled out, forcing his teammates to rise to the occasion without their franchise cornerstone.

Barnes and Fox ignite a Spurs offense that never looked back

San Antonio wasted no time imposing its rhythm. Harrison Barnes set the tone from the opening quarter, draining pull-up jumpers and attacking the rim with purpose. De’Aaron Fox, meanwhile, used his elite burst to carve through a Memphis defense that struggled to contain him in transition. By halftime, the Spurs had already built a comfortable cushion, with Barnes and Fox combining for a dominant interior-exterior punch that the Grizzlies had no answer for.

Memphis attempted to claw back in the third quarter, leaning on Zach Edey’s interior presence — the rookie center finishing with 19 points and 15 rebounds — and on the efficiency of Cam Spencer off the bench. Spencer shot 6-of-8 from the field and contributed 21 points, keeping the Grizzlies mathematically in the game heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter, however, belonged entirely to San Antonio. Keldon Johnson’s energy off the bench — he finished +13 in just 28 minutes — proved critical in sealing the victory. The Spurs closed the game with composure, never allowing Memphis to pull within single digits in the final stretch, completing a 126-119 final.

Barnes erupts for 31, Fox locks down the close

The game’s signature moment came midway through the third quarter when Harrison Barnes, already past 20 points, stepped back for his sixth three-pointer of the night — one of seven attempts from deep, hitting at a 7-of-12 clip. The veteran forward finished with a season-high 31 points, shooting 10-of-20 from the field and adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists for a complete, well-rounded performance. Fox complemented him with 29 points, knocking down 9 of his 10 free-throw attempts and collecting 3 steals in a two-way display that underlined his value to this roster.

Dylan Harper, in limited minutes, quietly contributed 15 points and 6 assists in just 21 minutes, reinforcing the Spurs’ offensive depth on a night when every contributor needed to step up.

Wemby out, but the Spurs show real depth

Wembanyama’s absence and what it revealed

The French phenom did not suit up on December 2, sidelined per the injury report ahead of tip-off. Without the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, San Antonio’s supporting cast answered emphatically. This win is a statement of organizational depth — the kind of resilience that contending teams require across an 82-game regular season grind. Wembanyama’s return will only elevate a roster that proved, on this night, it can win without him.

Team context: a balanced, versatile attack

Five Spurs players scored in double figures, a collective effort that head coach Gregg Popovich’s system has always prized. Jaylen Wells led Memphis in scoring with 20 points but finished at -22, a damning efficiency figure that encapsulated the Grizzlies’ defensive night. Notably absent for Memphis was Ja Morant, whose status had also been in question heading into the contest — leaving both franchises’ marquee stars on the sideline simultaneously.

What’s next for San Antonio

The Spurs improve their regular season record with a hard-earned seven-point road victory that showcases their offensive versatility. With the pivot des Spurs expected to return soon from his absence, San Antonio’s next outing will be watched closely — Wembanyama back on the floor alongside a suddenly confident supporting cast could make this team genuinely dangerous in the Western Conference standings.

• Harrison Barnes: 31 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 7/12 from three
• De’Aaron Fox: 29 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl
• Dylan Harper: 15 pts, 6 ast in 21 minutes
• Devin Vassell: 12 pts, 5 reb
• Keldon Johnson: 11 pts, 6 reb, +13