The Memphis Grizzlies (9-12) ride a three-game winning streak into San Antonio, looking to exploit the Spurs’ injury-riddled roster in a Southwest Division grudge match at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs (13-6), fresh off a four-of-five hot streak, rely on Victor Wembanyama’s two-way dominance to anchor their top-10 defense, but absences in the backcourt could open doors for Memphis’ gritty frontcourt. Without Ja Morant, the Grizzlies lean on Jaren Jackson Jr.’s versatility, setting up a battle of bigs that could decide a game projected as a defensive slugfest. This early-season tilt carries playoff implications for the Spurs’ rise and Memphis’ crawl back into contention.
Venue
Venue: Frost Bank Center, 1 AT&T Way, San Antonio, TX 78219. Capacity: 18,000. This modern Alamo City staple, home to the Spurs since 2002, features a passionate fanbase and court-side energy that amplifies Popovich-era intensity—expect chants for “Wemby” to echo if the rookie phenom stuffs the stat sheet.
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT). Broadcast: Bally Sports Southeast (Grizzlies local), Bally Sports Southwest (Spurs local), NBA League Pass (streaming). NBA TV national window potential, with tip-off primed for prime-time drama.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Southwest Division Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Net Rating) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 9-12 | 5-6 Home / 4-6 Away | 4th (1-3 div.) | 112.8 / 114.2 / -1.4 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 13-6 | 7-2 Home / 6-4 Away | 1st (3-1 div.) | 116.4 / 110.6 / +5.8 |
The Spurs lead the Southwest with balanced scoring and elite paint protection (top-5 Opp PTS in paint), while the Grizzlies’ middling start stems from guard injuries, dropping them to 22nd in offensive efficiency.
Recent Team Forms
Memphis heats up on the road, but San Antonio’s home fortress looms large.
Grizzlies (3-2 in last 5): Memphis extended its streak to three with a 115-107 road win at Sacramento on November 30, showcasing balanced attack (five in double figures). Prior: W at New Orleans (133-128 OT on Nov. 27), W vs. Portland (112-107 on Nov. 25), L at LA Clippers (118-105 on Nov. 23), and W vs. Utah (120-109 on Nov. 20). Averaging 118.4 PPG in the surge with improved rebounding (+4.2 margin), but turnovers (14.6 per game) persist without Morant. Road form: 4-6, but 3-1 ATS last four away.
Spurs (4-1 in last 5): San Antonio cruised 111-102 over Phoenix on November 30, ending the Suns’ three-game run. Earlier: W vs. Houston (115-108 on Nov. 27), W at Dallas (112-104 on Nov. 25), W vs. Oklahoma City (118-114 on Nov. 23), and L at Denver (120-109 on Nov. 20). Offense humming at 115.2 PPG, driven by Wembanyama’s 26.8 PPG/10.4 RPG last five, though ATS 2-3 reflects close calls. Home dominance: 7-2, +9.6 net rating.
Injury Report
Injuries hammer both guards, but San Antonio’s depth suffers more without key reserves—potentially gifting Memphis second-chance points. Updates as of December 1, 2025 (NBA official 8:30 PM ET report).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Grizzlies | Ja Morant (G) | OUT | Left calf strain (multi-week; missed 10+ games). | Star engine (25.4 PPG) sidelined; shifts to committee at PG, dropping assists (-6.2 per game without him). |
| Grizzlies | Brandon Clarke (F) | OUT | Right knee surgery recovery (indefinite). | Energy big (10.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG); frontcourt depth thins, +4 RPG hit. |
| Grizzlies | Ty Jerome (G) | OUT | Right calf strain (rehab; out since Nov. 22). | Backup shooter (9.6 PPG); exacerbates guard crunch. |
| Grizzlies | Scotty Pippen Jr. (G) | OUT | Left toe sprain. | Rotation guard; minor but compounds backcourt woes. |
| Grizzlies | Javon Small (G) | OUT | Left toe injury. | Depth piece; no major minutes, but adds to PG famine. |
| Spurs | Stephon Castle (G) | OUT | Left hip flexor strain (day-to-day; out until Dec. 2 at earliest). | Rookie guard (12.8 PPG); perimeter creation dips (-5.4 APG without). |
| Spurs | Jordan McLaughlin (G) | OUT | Left hamstring strain (expected return Dec. 8). | Quick reserve (8.2 PPG); bench speed suffers. |
| Spurs | Harrison Ingram (F) | OUT | G League assignment (two-way). | Fringe rotation; negligible impact. |
Spurs closer to full strength up front, but guard injuries level the backcourt.
Series History
This in-state rivalry ignited in 2001, with San Antonio holding a commanding all-time edge in 119 regular-season meetings: 77-42 (.647 win%). The Spurs dominated the Duncan era, but Memphis flipped narratives in recent playoff clashes (e.g., 2013 WCF).
Last 10 Meetings: Spurs 6-4, including a 118-114 home W on March 21, 2025 (Wembanyama’s 32-12). Grizzlies’ wins: 112-107 on Jan. 7, 2025, and 120-109 on Nov. 20, 2024.
At Frost Bank Center: Spurs 42-18 all-time vs. Grizzlies; Memphis’ last win there: April 2024 (116-102).
Trends: Unders in 7 of last 10 (avg. 218.6 total); Spurs cover 7-3 as home favorites vs. MEM. Games trend physical (Spurs +8.2 rebounding margin).
San Antonio’s home hex favors them, but Grizzlies’ recent road bite offers upset fuel.
Key Player Matchups
Guard voids spotlight bigs and wings—Wembanyama’s length could smother Memphis inside.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies F) vs. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs F/C): Jackson’s switchability (22.6 PPG, 2.1 BPG last 5) tests Wemby’s unicorn range (26.8 PPG, 3.4 BPG); expect 40+ combined blocks/steals in a paint war—Jackson eyes 25-10 if Wemby fouls early.
Desmond Bane (Grizzlies G) vs. Devin Vassell (Spurs G/F): Bane’s off-ball fire (24.2 PPG, 42% 3PT) exploits Vassell’s on-ball D (18.4 PPG); winner dictates perimeter pace (projected 45+ points combined).
Zach Edey (Grizzlies C) vs. Spurs Frontcourt (Keldon Johnson/Charles Bassey): Rookie Edey’s size (14.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG) bullies mismatches sans ideal counter; rebound duel tips boards (+6 MEM projected).
Bench: GG Jackson (Grizzlies F) vs. Tre Jones (Spurs G): Jackson’s scoring pop (15.6 PPG off bench) vs. Jones’ facilitation (10.2 APG); second unit owns energy.
Spurs’ health edges wings, but Grizzlies feast in transition.
Betting Trends
Trends: Public 62% on Spurs spread; sharps on under (58% handle). Player props: Wembanyama O 24.5 pts (-115); Jackson O 21.5 pts (+100). Grizzlies 4-1 ATS last 5; Spurs 3-2 ATS home.
Value on Grizzlies +5.5 if Morant absence inflates line.
Game Odds
Memphis Grizzlies 232
San Antonio Spurs – 5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 1, 2025
