Spurs Rally Past Grizzlies Without Wembanyama, Behind Barnes’ Hot Hand and Fox’s Fourth-Quarter Fire
SAN ANTONIO - No Victor Wembanyama? No problem - at least for now. The San Antonio Spurs are finding ways to win without their generational big man, and Tuesday night’s 126-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies was another example of a team refusing to fold under pressure.
Harrison Barnes caught fire early and never cooled off, pouring in a season-high 31 points. After a rough night from deep in Minnesota, Barnes came out looking like a man on a mission.
He drilled his first three triples and ended up 7-for-12 from beyond the arc, finishing 10-of-20 overall from the field. This wasn’t just a bounce-back - it was a statement.
De’Aaron Fox added 29 points of his own, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as the Spurs clawed back from a seven-point deficit to improve to 9-2 at home. With Wembanyama sidelined since mid-November due to a strained left calf, San Antonio has quietly gone 6-2 in that stretch - and they’re doing it with grit, timely shooting, and a next-man-up mentality.
Dylan Harper chipped in 15 points, providing another steady spark in the rotation. But this game was won with execution down the stretch, and Fox was the closer. Whether it was attacking off the dribble or hitting tough midrange shots, he controlled the tempo when it mattered most.
Memphis didn’t go quietly. The Grizzlies came in riding a wave - winners of three straight and five of their last six - and they played like a team that expected to leave with another W.
Zach Edey, the 7-foot-3 rookie, was a force inside. With Wembanyama watching in street clothes from the bench, Edey took full advantage of the Spurs’ interior void.
He finished with 19 points and 15 boards, including 11 on the defensive glass, and shot an efficient 8-for-12 from the field.
Edey’s physicality was on display throughout. He got tangled up with Jeremy Sochan in the first half, earning a loose-ball foul after pulling Sochan’s arm during a scramble. Later, he caught Luke Kornet with an elbow to the face - a play that was reviewed and ruled a common foul with just under 10 minutes to play.
The Grizzlies dominated the paint, outscoring San Antonio 58-42 in that area, and they got solid contributions from their supporting cast. Cam Spencer had a season-high 21 points, while Jaylen Wells added 20. But Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled to make an impact, finishing with just seven points and six rebounds - well below his usual production.
Even with Ja Morant still out, Memphis has been finding ways to compete. But on this night, they ran into a Spurs team that’s learning how to win without its centerpiece.
San Antonio’s ball movement, perimeter shooting, and late-game composure stood out. And while Wembanyama’s absence still looms large, performances like this show that the Spurs aren’t just waiting around for their star to get healthy - they’re building confidence and chemistry in the meantime.
Next up:
The Grizzlies head home to host the Clippers on Friday, looking to get back on track.