Spurs Beat Grizzlies 111-101 as De'Aaron Fox Leads San Antonio to 10-4 Record

The San Antonio Spurs pulled away late to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 111-101 on Tuesday night at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, sealing their 10th win of the season with a decisive 11-0 run in the final minutes. De'Aaron Fox was electric, dropping 26 points, three three-pointers, and two steals, while Harrison Barnes provided the steady scoring punch with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. It wasn’t just the stats — it was the timing. With under a minute left and the Grizzlies clawing back, Barnes hit a tough fadeaway, then found Jaylen Williams for a putback that essentially ended the game. The win pushes the Spurs to 10-4, second in the Southwest Division, while the Grizzlies fall to 4-11 — their road record now a dismal 1-7.

Spurs’ Depth and Discipline Shine in Tight Contest

For all the attention on Fox and Barnes, the real story was San Antonio’s balance. Julian Champagnie chipped in 14 points off the bench. Devin Vassell added 12, and even Luke Kornet, the 7-foot center, grabbed 8 rebounds and blocked two shots. The Spurs shot 47% from the field and hit 11 of 25 from deep — a mark that reflects their growing confidence in spacing and ball movement. They didn’t need to rely on one superstar. They didn’t need to force it. They just kept executing, even when Memphis cut the lead to four with 3:12 left. That’s when Fox drove baseline, drew two defenders, and kicked out to Barnes for a corner three. The crowd roared. The Grizzlies never recovered.

Grizzlies’ Shorthanded Struggles Deepen

Memphis entered the game without Jaren Jackson Jr., their All-Defensive center, and with several rotation players sidelined. Cedric Coward, who started in his place, fought hard with 19 points and 11 rebounds — his first double-double of the season. But he was isolated too often. Zach Edey, the 7’4” rookie, looked overwhelmed against San Antonio’s quicker bigs. Santi Aldama missed all five of his shots. And while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit a couple of threes, the Grizzlies as a team shot just 38% from the field. As Charlie Thaddeus wrote in Pounding the Rock, “This wasn’t just a loss. It felt like a warning.” The Grizzlies have lost six of their last seven games, and their roster depth is now a legitimate concern. Without Jackson Jr., they lack interior defense. Without consistent scoring outside Coward, they’re one-dimensional.

A Turning Point for San Antonio’s Identity

Two years ago, the Spurs were rebuilding. Last year, they were lottery-bound. Now? They’re playing with poise. Fox, acquired in a summer trade from Sacramento, has transformed their offense. He’s not just a scorer — he’s a conductor. He knows when to push, when to slow down, when to let Barnes or Vassell take over. And Barnes? He’s become the quiet glue guy. His 4-of-8 from three isn’t flashy, but it’s consistent. He’s averaging 20.1 points per game since joining San Antonio — his best stretch in five years. The Spurs are no longer a team waiting for the future. They’re building something now, and it’s starting to look like the old Spurs: disciplined, unselfish, and deadly in the clutch.

What’s Next for Both Teams?

San Antonio faces the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night — another Southwest Division clash that could determine playoff positioning. The Pelicans are 8-6 and hungry, led by Zion Williamson’s return to form. For the Grizzlies, the schedule doesn’t get easier. They host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday — a team that’s won five of their last six and plays with relentless energy. Memphis can’t afford another loss if they want to stay in the Western Conference conversation. But with their injury list growing and morale fading, it’s hard to see how they turn it around.

Behind the Numbers: The Spurs’ Rise

San Antonio’s 10-4 record is their best through 14 games since the 2019-20 season. They’re averaging 114.2 points per game — up nearly six points from last year. Their assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.1, the third-best in the NBA. And defensively, they’ve improved by 5.3 points per 100 possessions. That’s not luck. That’s coaching. Gregg Popovich, now in his 29th season, has quietly retooled the roster without fanfare. He’s traded aging veterans for young, versatile players. He’s embraced analytics without losing his identity. And now, with Fox running the show, the Spurs aren’t just competitive — they’re dangerous.

Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled

This was the 119th regular-season meeting between the Spurs and Grizzlies. San Antonio has won 72 of them. The rivalry has always been physical — think of Tony Parker’s drives, Marc Gasol’s post-ups, and now, Fox’s speed against Edey’s size. But this season feels different. Memphis used to be the rising challenger. Now, they’re the team trying to catch up. And San Antonio? They’re the ones setting the pace again.