Spurs Surge to 111-101 Win Over Grizzlies: Barnes’ 11-Point Clutch Run Powers Dramatic Comeback
The San Antonio Spurs secured a hard-fought 111-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night, marking their first home win over Memphis since January 2019. With Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle sidelined, the Spurs leaned heavily on their veteran leadership, with De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes stepping up in the clutch. Fox led the team with 26 points, while Barnes contributed 23 on 9-of-14 shooting. Barnes was especially instrumental down the stretch, scoring 11 straight points during an 11-0 run to seal the win for San Antonio.
The game got off to a rocky start for the Spurs, who found themselves trailing 8-0 early, prompting head coach Mitch Johnson to call a timeout just 90 seconds into the contest. Despite struggling with their shooting—missing 10 of their first 12 attempts—San Antonio bounced back with improved defense and ball movement, outscoring Memphis 23-16 for the remainder of the first quarter. As the game wore on, the Spurs continued to battle back, chipping away at the Grizzlies’ lead.
San Antonio’s bench also provided a spark, with Keldon Johnson scoring 18 points and Kelly Olynyk adding 10. Devin Vassell also chipped in with 10 points, ensuring the team stayed competitive without their stars.
The fourth quarter was where the Spurs took control. Despite six ties and 12 lead changes in the final period, Barnes’ timely scoring and the Spurs’ lockdown defense carried them to victory. They outscored Memphis 25-14 in the final 12 minutes, holding the Grizzlies to just 14 points in the quarter. Barnes’ late heroics—capped off by a key 3-pointer—gave the Spurs a 107-101 lead with under a minute to go, securing the win and showing the resilience of a team fighting through adversity.
