The San Antonio Spurs didn’t just beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night — they broke their spirit. Down by one point entering the fourth quarter, the Spurs unleashed a 25-14 run over the final 12 minutes to win 111-101 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, handing Memphis its fifth straight loss and dropping the Grizzlies to 4-11 on the season. Meanwhile, San Antonio improved to 10-4, cementing their place as one of the NBA’s most surprising early-season contenders. The win also covered a 6-point spread, a crucial margin for bettors watching every possession — and a sign that the Spurs are finding their rhythm at just the right time.
From Toss-Up to Takedown: The Fourth-Quarter Collapse
The game was a rollercoaster. Memphis led by as many as eight points in the first half. They outscored the Spurs 40-37 in the third quarter, taking an 87-86 lead into the final period. Fans in the stands were buzzing — was this the night the Grizzlies finally snapped their slide? Then, everything changed. San Antonio locked in defensively. They forced six turnovers in the fourth, turning them into 14 points. The Grizzlies, who had been shooting 40% from the field all night, went 4-of-16 in the final quarter. Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox (26 points, 3 assists) hit back-to-back jumpers with under two minutes left, and Harrison Barnes (23 points, 4-of-8 from deep) buried a three that made it 105-99. Memphis’ last hope evaporated when Cedric Coward missed a wide-open corner three with 1:15 left. The Spurs closed on an 11-0 run. No panic. No heroics. Just execution.Statistical Irony: Rebounds Won, Game Lost
The numbers tell a story no one expected. Memphis grabbed 59 rebounds — 21 of them offensive — to San Antonio’s 38. Zach Edey, the 7’4” center, pulled down 11 boards. Yet the Grizzlies scored just 2 second-chance points. Why? Because the Spurs, led by defensive specialist Keldon Johnson, grabbed every defensive rebound that mattered. Memphis’ 21 offensive rebounds should’ve meant 40+ second-chance points. Instead, they got two. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s 24 points off turnovers were the game’s defining stat. The Grizzlies coughed up 14 turnovers. The Spurs? Just nine. That’s not luck. That’s discipline. And it’s what separates playoff teams from those still searching for identity.Individual Standouts: Fox Leads, Coward Fights, Williams Jr. Almost Does It All
De'Aaron Fox was surgical. He didn’t need to score 30 to win this game — he just needed to be the steady hand when it mattered most. His 10-of-20 shooting, including a crucial step-back with 4:12 left, kept Memphis’ defense honest. Barnes, the veteran, hit four threes in rhythm, proving he’s still a lethal floor-spacer at 32. On the other side, Cedric Coward was a one-man spark plug: 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 5-of-7 from deep. He kept Memphis alive. But when he sat for a breather in the fourth, the Grizzlies’ offense collapsed. Vince Williams Jr. nearly posted a triple-double (14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists), but his final stat line — 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting — tells the truth: he couldn’t carry the load alone.Why This Loss Hurts More Than the Others
Memphis has lost four straight games by an average of 6.5 points. This one? By 10. But it wasn’t the margin that stings — it was how they lost. They were up with 12 minutes to go. They had the rebounding edge. They had the momentum. And yet, they let the Spurs walk out of their building with a win. The Grizzlies are now 1-7 on the road. Their defense? A mess. Their bench? Inconsistent. Their leadership? Questionable. Coach Taylor Jenkins has to ask himself: Is this a rough patch… or a sign of deeper issues? Meanwhile, San Antonio’s coach Gregg Popovich is quietly building something special. He’s got a young core learning how to close. And when Fox and Barnes are clicking? This team can beat anyone at home.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Grizzlies head to Oklahoma City on Friday, facing a Thunder team that’s been surprisingly tough at home. They need a win. Badly. But their confidence is fraying. The Spurs, meanwhile, host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday — a matchup they should win comfortably. Then comes a brutal stretch: Denver, Phoenix, and Golden State. This win might be the foundation they need. Because in the West, wins like this — gritty, late, against a team with more talent — are the ones that define playoff contenders.Game Details: The Numbers That Mattered
- Final Score: Spurs 111, Grizzlies 101
- Quarter Scores: Q1: MEM 24-23 SAS | Q2: SAS 49-47 MEM | Q3: MEM 87-86 SAS | Q4: SAS 25-14 MEM
- Field Goal %: SAS 48.3% (42-87) | MEM 40.4% (42-104)
- Three-Point %: SAS 38.1% (16-42) | MEM 30.8% (12-39)
- Free Throws: SAS 84.6% (11-13) | MEM 55.6% (5-9)
- Turnovers: SAS 9 | MEM 14
- Points Off Turnovers: SAS 24 | MEM 6
- Rebounds: MEM 59 (21 offensive) | SAS 38
- Steals: SAS 10 | MEM 6
- Fastbreak Points: Both teams: 6
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Spurs manage to win despite being outrebounded by 21 boards?
San Antonio turned Memphis’ rebounding advantage into a liability by forcing 14 turnovers — and turning them into 24 points. The Spurs’ defense focused on limiting second-chance opportunities, grabbing 27 defensive rebounds in the final three quarters. They also shot 48.3% from the field and made 11 of 13 free throws, while Memphis struggled to convert inside chances and missed five of nine free throws in the fourth quarter alone.
Why is this loss particularly damaging for the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes?
Memphis is now 1-7 on the road and 4-11 overall, putting them 7.5 games behind the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Losing by double digits at home — after leading late — signals a lack of clutch execution. With key players like Ja Morant still recovering and the bench inconsistent, this losing streak could derail their postseason chances unless they find defensive cohesion immediately.
What does this win mean for De'Aaron Fox’s role on the Spurs?
Fox is now clearly the Spurs’ primary closer. His 26-point performance on 10-of-20 shooting — including a critical three-pointer with 1:48 left — showed he can carry the offense under pressure. With Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the season, Fox has stepped into the role of alpha scorer and playmaker, averaging 23.8 points over his last five games. He’s no longer just a spark plug — he’s the engine.
Could the Grizzlies’ rebounding edge be a sign of future success?
Possibly — but only if they learn to convert those boards into points. Memphis has the physicality to dominate the glass, but their offensive efficiency in the paint is just 48%. They’re missing easy putbacks and getting trapped in isolation plays. If they start moving the ball better after rebounds and use Edey as a passing hub instead of a one-on-one option, their rebounding could become an asset, not a distraction.
What’s the historical significance of this game for the Spurs?
This win marks the Spurs’ best start since the 2016-17 season, when they opened 10-3. It’s also their first 10-win season without Kawhi Leonard since 2014. More importantly, it’s the first time since 2020 that San Antonio has won five straight home games. For a franchise that’s been rebuilding, this is a signal that their young core — Fox, Barnes, and rookie forward Jeremy Sochan — can compete at the highest level.
Who were the referees, and did officiating impact the outcome?
The game was officiated by crew members #714823, #526799, and #1348262, according to RotoWire. Neither team received technicals or flagrants, and foul calls were even (Spurs 16, Grizzlies 15). There were no controversial non-calls in the final minutes. The outcome was decided by execution, not officiating. The Grizzlies’ 5-of-9 free throw shooting in the fourth was the real issue — not missed calls.
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