Grizzlies’ Late Collapse Allows Spurs to Steal Victory
For a fleeting moment, the Memphis Grizzlies appeared poised to secure a significant win against the San Antonio Spurs. With a narrow lead as the fourth quarter commenced, they held the potential to hand San Antonio just its third home loss of the season. Yet, what unfolded in the next 12 minutes was a disheartening unraveling that left the Grizzlies grasping for answers.
Third Quarter Surge
In the third quarter, Memphis showcased a sense of urgency and relentless rim pressure that propelled their offensive efforts. They moved swiftly, attacking the basket and converting early layups and dunks—tactics that kept San Antonio off balance defensively. The Grizzlies capitalized on every opportunity, pushing the pace after each rebound and converting Spurs’ misses into fast-break chances.
This period was marked by a flurry of high-quality possessions. Cedric Coward electrified the crowd with a dunk, while Zach Edey wowed fans with an alley-oop finish. Vince Williams Jr. contributed with a smooth jumper, and the team collectively thrived on drives that either resulted in easy baskets or drawn fouls. The balanced scoring and team-oriented play made it difficult for San Antonio to focus on any single threat. Williams, in particular, had a standout quarter, contributing multiple assists and two blocks, exemplifying the cohesive effort that defined Memphis’s third-quarter success.
Fourth Quarter Decline
However, the tide turned dramatically in the final quarter. San Antonio shifted gears, implementing a slow, methodical approach that dictated the game’s tempo. High ball screens for De’Aaron Fox became a staple of their offense, and the Spurs’ relentless pursuit of offensive rebounds stifled any momentum the Grizzlies had built. Memphis, forced to adopt a half-court style of play, strayed from their identity—particularly challenging in the absence of Ja Morant, who typically provides creative scoring solutions.
As the Spurs executed their game plan with precision, Memphis began to falter. The Grizzlies’ offense devolved into a series of mistakes, marked by critical turnovers and ill-timed fouls that allowed San Antonio to score with the clock stopped. The shot quality for Memphis plummeted, and while the Spurs traded three-point shots for two-pointers, the Grizzlies struggled to keep pace. Fox delivered several crucial shots that further widened the gap, while Memphis managed just one significant three-pointer in the closing minutes.
The final stretch was particularly arduous for Memphis. They missed several layups, made rushed attempts as the shot clock wound down, and saw Jaylen Wells miss two free throws. A travel violation by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a costly turnover by Coward only compounded their struggles. The stark contrast between the two halves could not be ignored: the third quarter was a showcase of aggressive, flowing basketball, while the fourth descended into a chaotic, mistake-prone affair.
Looking Ahead
As the Grizzlies reflect on this defeat, concerns loom larger than just the loss. With Ja Morant’s injury continuing to influence team dynamics, Memphis may find itself slipping in the NBA power rankings. Meanwhile, standout performances from players like Zach Edey raise questions about their recognition in the league. As the season progresses, the Grizzlies will need to reclaim their fast-paced identity and rectify the issues that led to last night’s collapse if they hope to contend effectively moving forward.
