Grizzlies storm back to beat Spurs on late 18-0 run

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th November, 22:49 2023

Nov 18, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) looks to pass the ball while defended by San Antonio Spurs forwards Dom Barlow (26) and Doug McDermott (17) during the second half at Frost Bank Center. credits: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 points and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies turned the game around with an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter, roaring from behind to beat the hapless San Antonio Spurs 120-108 on Saturday.

The Spurs led by 17 points at halftime but by only seven heading into the fourth quarter after Memphis closed the gap by scoring eight of the final 10 points in the third.

The Grizzlies trailed 99-93 with 10 minutes to play but swept to the lead with an 18-0 run over the ensuing 5 1/2 minutes capped by a 3-pointer by Ziaire Williams. San Antonio missed all eight of its shots in that pivotal stretch.

The Spurs swung back, cutting the Memphis lead to six points on tip-in layup by Victor Wembanyama with 2 minutes remaining. But the Spurs would get no closer in losing their eighth straight game.

Desmond Bane added 26 points for Memphis, with Santi Aldama racking up 17 points and 10 rebounds. Williams scored 17 and Bismack Biyombo added 14.

Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 22 points. Wembanyama added 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots, Zach Collins and Jeremy Sochan had 16 points each, and Cedi Osman scored 13.

The Spurs were up by as many as 10 points in the first quarter on a 3-pointer by Osman at the 6:04 mark. Memphis whittled down the margin to four points when Derrick Rose hit a layup with 4:57 to play in the period.

But San Antonio used a turnaround jumper by Wembanyama and a layup by Osman to assume a 35-26 advantage after one period of play.

Three free throws by Wembanyama, a 3-pointer by Julian Champagnie and a bucket by Doug McDermott pushed the Spurs' lead to 48-34 3 1/2 minutes into the second quarter. San Antonio kept playing add-on, building it advantage to 19 points on a pair of Collins free throws with 3:47 remaining in the period. San Antonio led 68-51 at the break.

Bane led all players with 16 points before halftime with Jackson adding 10 for the Grizzlies. Wembanyama's 13 points paced San Antonio and Osman hit for 10.

—Field Level Media

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