The Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs delivered a nail-biting contest on January 6, 2026, at FedEx Forum, with both teams navigating a slew of injuries and high-pressure storylines. In a dramatic finish, the Grizzlies edged out the Spurs 106-105, snapping a four-game losing streak and adding another twist to a season marked by unpredictability and resilience.
All eyes were on the pregame injury reports, and for good reason. Memphis entered the night short-handed, with franchise guard Ja Morant officially ruled out for a second straight game due to a right calf contusion. Morant, who initially appeared questionable before being downgraded to doubtful earlier in the day, has now missed 17 games this season. His absence was felt deeply; he last played on January 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers, gutting through the pain to post 16 points and 11 assists despite being visibly hobbled. The Grizzlies opted for caution, holding him out of the rematch against the Lakers and again versus the Spurs, prioritizing long-term health over short-term gain.
"The situation carries added context given Morant’s recent history," noted team officials, referencing his previous Grade 1 right calf strain from November 15, which sidelined him for ten games. Morant has now appeared in just 18 games this season, averaging a solid 19.0 points and 7.6 assists, but has yet to face San Antonio in any of the season’s three matchups.
The Grizzlies’ injury woes didn’t end there. Rookie wing Cedric Coward was ruled out with a left ankle sprain, missing his second game of the season after sustaining the injury in the first half of Sunday’s loss to the Lakers. The team also remained without Olivier-Maxence Prosper due to a two-way transfer designation, and several others were sidelined with various ailments, including Brandon Clarke (right calf strain), Zach Edey (left ankle stress reaction), and Ty Jerome (right calf strain).
But there was a silver lining for Memphis: Vince Williams Jr. made his return after missing eight games with left patellar tendinitis. His presence provided a much-needed boost to a wing rotation stretched thin by overlapping injuries and forced the coaching staff to get creative with lineups. Williams’ defensive versatility and emergency ball-handling helped stabilize the Grizzlies on a night when every possession mattered.
On the other side, the Spurs were dealing with their own injury drama. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio’s rookie phenom, returned to action after missing two games with a bone bruise in his left knee. The team handled his comeback with care, bringing him off the bench and limiting his minutes—a strategy reminiscent of his earlier return from a left calf strain that cost him 12 games. Wembanyama made the most of his time on the floor, erupting for a game-high 30 points in just 21 minutes, marking his first career 30-point game as a reserve. He sat out the final 3:46 of the game, watching as the lead changed hands five times in the closing moments.
"The fact is we play down to the level of the opponent," Wembanyama reflected after the game. "The good thing is we can match up with anybody and look everybody in the eyes. But the bad thing is we look everybody in the eyes, and sometimes we should just put people away. Most of the time, we execute well. But we don’t finish plays [and] possessions. We just keep people in the games." (According to ESPN.)
San Antonio’s approach to Wembanyama’s health was deliberate, with head coach Mitch Johnson emphasizing the long view. "What is the priority of all of that? I do know his long-term health and making sure we keep that kid from himself in terms of his competitiveness. We want him to be healthy for years, not for just trying to win the next couple of games." Johnson acknowledged that the NBA’s 65-game rule for postseason awards was a consideration, but not at the expense of Wembanyama’s well-being.
Wembanyama himself admitted the threshold was on his mind: "I pay attention. But [the medical team] tries to let it be as small a factor as possible because as health professionals, it’s not something you’re supposed to do." With 14 games missed already, the rookie can only sit out four more before losing eligibility for postseason honors—a subplot that adds tension to every injury update.
Beyond the stars, the Spurs were also without key contributors Devin Vassell (left adductor strain) and several players on two-way assignments, further testing their depth. Despite these challenges, San Antonio entered the contest with a sterling 13-5 road record and a six-game true road winning streak. The Spurs had already clinched the first two meetings of the season against Memphis (111-101 and 126-119) and were on the verge of winning the season series for the first time since the 2017-2018 campaign.
Memphis, meanwhile, had stumbled out of the gate in 2026, dropping both games against the Lakers and carrying a four-game skid into their home-heavy stretch—eight of nine at FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies’ home record stood at 7-9, and their struggles against teams with winning records were glaring, with just two wins in 19 tries. Still, the prospect of halting the Spurs’ momentum and reclaiming some pride in the season series provided ample motivation.
The game itself lived up to the billing. Both teams traded blows throughout, with Wembanyama’s scoring outburst keeping the Spurs within striking distance. The Grizzlies, buoyed by Williams Jr.’s return and gritty performances from the supporting cast, managed to hold off San Antonio in the frantic final minutes. The victory snapped Memphis’ losing streak and denied the Spurs a chance to clinch the season series just yet.
As for the broader context, the Spurs still hold a commanding 78-42 edge in the all-time series, a reminder of their historical dominance. But this night belonged to the Grizzlies, who, despite missing their franchise star and several key pieces, found a way to gut out a win against one of the league’s toughest road teams. The game was broadcast regionally on FanDuel Sports Network and carried on local radio, ensuring fans across both markets could feel the tension and excitement firsthand.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies hope to build on this momentum as they continue their home stand, while the Spurs must quickly regroup with Wembanyama listed as questionable for their next outing against the Lakers. The season’s narrative remains wide open, with injuries, award eligibility, and playoff positioning all in play. For one night, though, Memphis found its spark—and the FedEx Forum crowd had plenty to cheer about.
