MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A dramatic finish unfolded Saturday night as De'Aaron Fox hit the game-winning jump shot with only 2.6 seconds left on the clock, securing the San Antonio Spurs’ 130-128 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Fox’s clutch 20-footer brought his total to 20 points for the night, and his teammates celebrated as the Grizzlies' Santi Aldama missed a desperate last-second shot.
Earlier, Memphis center Jaren Jackson Jr. had tied the game with 22.3 seconds remaining by banking in a three-pointer. After Fox’s decisive basket, the Spurs celebrated snapping their four-game losing streak. Stephon Castle was also key for San Antonio, leading all scorers with 24 points and adding seven assists. Devin Vassell matched Fox with 20 points and Jeremy Sochan added 18.
Jackson was the standout performer for the Grizzlies, scoring 42 points and trying to carry his team after they faced several setbacks. Jaylen Wells contributed 18 points, and Zach Edey scored 17 points to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks. Memphis had entered the game off a narrow 114-113 loss to the New York Knicks.
The Spurs had evidently found their groove early, shooting 61% from the field during the first half, which helped them build up a sizable 77-58 lead at halftime. A significant 27-8 run spanning both the first and second quarters put San Antonio on strong footing, and they managed to hold off the Grizzlies' efforts to stage a comeback after the break.
Despite missing their star backcourt duo of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, who sat due to various soreness, Memphis showcased resilience. The team has been struggling with consistency, having lost three of their last four games, but all of them have been tightly contested affairs, frequently coming down to just one possession with under a minute left on the clock.
Fox's moral triumph with the winning basket marked the team's chance to rebound from disappointing results, with many supporters hoping the victory could signal the end of their recent struggles. Grizzlies' coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the potential of his young squad going forward.
Fox certainly shined bright during this memorable matchup, but much of the attention also turned to the rookie duel between him and Castle of the Spurs, who has emerged as a contender for the Rookie of the Year award. Following their previous paths to becoming early-career standouts, Castle's playstyle contrasted with Wells, who is proving valuable among the Grizzlies’ roster.
Castle opened the game hot, tallying 24 points on 50% shooting, including two three-pointers and perfect free throws. His strong performance was pivotal as San Antonio edged out the victory. On the other hand, Wells scored 18 points, showing impressive shooting form with 50% overall efficiency and completing 40% of his 10 three-point attempts.
The matchup highlighted the differences between their draft trajectories: Castle was selected fourth overall, whereas Wells was picked 39th. On the court, both exhibited potential as they stride to solidify their presence within the league, each seeking to claim the Rookie of the Year title as the season nears its end.
This game also closed out the sporadic rivalry for now, as the two rookies won’t meet again during the regular season, leaving fans eager for their next encounter. While Castle may have taken this night’s honors, both young stars clearly demonstrate why they are the future of their respective franchises.
After the game, the Spurs now look toward their next challenge against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will aim to bounce back as they play host to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, needing to regroup and capitalize on their home-court advantage to pull out of their recent slump.