De'Aaron Fox's Clutch Shot Lifts Spurs Over Grizzlies 130-128 in Nail-Biter
The De'Aaron Fox didn’t just win the game for the San Antonio Spurs — he rewrote the script. With 2.6 seconds left and the score tied at 128, the 26-year-old point guard pulled up from 20 feet, drained a cold-blooded jumper, and sent the Frost Bank Center into bedlam. It was March 1, 2025. The final: Spurs 130, Grizzlies 128. And just like that, Memphis’s season took another nosedive.
How the Grizzlies Blew a Lead
With 2 minutes and 28 seconds left, the Memphis Grizzlies led 101-100. They had the ball. They had momentum. They had Jaren Jackson Jr., their 24-year-old All-Star big man, fresh off a 22-point first half. But then — nothing. The Grizzlies scored just 14 points in the entire fourth quarter. Fourteen. Their lowest-scoring period of the season. Turnovers. Missed shots. Confused rotations. And a defense that vanished when it mattered most."Jaren Jackson Jr. was completely non-existent when his team needed him most," said one analyst on the game’s YouTube breakdown. He finished with 24 points, but only one in the final 8:15. On the decisive possession, he was caught on a switch, slow to close, and Fox — who’d been quiet most of the night — slipped past him like he wasn’t even there.
The Spurs’ Quiet Revolution
The San Antonio Spurs aren’t supposed to be this good. Not with a roster that includes Chris Paul at 39, a rookie in Stephon Castle, and a bench that looks like a highlight reel of overlooked veterans. But here they are: 38-25, fifth in the Western Conference. And they’re winning the way old-school teams used to — grinding, adjusting, and trusting their stars when the clock ticks down.De'Aaron Fox, acquired from Sacramento last summer, finished with 31 points, seven assists, and that dagger. "He’s been waiting for this moment," said Spurs coach Brian Wright after the game. "He’s not the flashiest guy on the floor, but he’s the one who makes the right play when it counts. That’s leadership."
It wasn’t just Fox. Harrison Barnes hit a clutch three with 1:12 left. Jeremy Sochan blocked two shots in the final minute. And Cedric Coward, the rookie guard, made two critical errors — a turnover on a bad pass, then another on a forced drive — that sealed Memphis’s fate.
Memphis’s Playoff Dreams on Life Support
This loss was more than a defeat. It was a statement. The Grizzlies are now 32-31, clinging to eighth place in the West — and just 3.5 games ahead of 10th. Nine losses in ten games. Four straight on the road. Their offense, once among the league’s most explosive, has turned into a series of stalled drives and contested jumpers. They’ve lost five of their last six games decided by five points or fewer."We’re not executing," said head coach Taylor Jenkins, who’s been at the helm since 2019. "We’re making the wrong choices. We’re not trusting our system. And we’re not protecting the ball."
And then there’s Jackson Jr. The $150 million man. The defensive anchor. The guy who signed his extension expecting to carry Memphis deep into the playoffs. Instead, he’s averaging just 1.8 points per game in the final five minutes of close contests this month. His field goal percentage in clutch time? 28%. That’s worse than some bench players.
What’s Next? A Crucial Week for Both Teams
The Grizzlies fly to Denver on March 3 to face the Nuggets — a team that just beat them by 21 points two weeks ago. Lose again, and they’ll be in danger of falling out of the play-in picture entirely. Win? They’ll need a miracle run to catch the top six.Meanwhile, the Spurs get the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2 — a team they’ve beaten twice this season. A win here would put them within a half-game of the fourth seed. And with the playoffs looming, every possession matters.
The Bigger Picture: The West Is a Bloodbath
In the Western Conference, the gap between 4th and 10th is 3.5 games. That’s six teams fighting for four spots. The Grizzlies were supposed to be one of them. Now, they’re fighting to stay relevant. The Spurs? They’re the surprise. The team nobody expected to be this good. But they’re playing like they belong.It’s not just about talent anymore. It’s about poise. Execution. Heart. And on Saturday night, in front of 18,418 fans in San Antonio, De'Aaron Fox proved he has all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did De'Aaron Fox’s performance impact the Spurs’ playoff chances?
Fox’s game-winner lifted the Spurs to 38-25, putting them firmly in fifth place in the Western Conference — just one game behind the fourth seed. His ability to deliver in clutch moments has turned him into the team’s de facto leader, and his 31-point night was the Spurs’ highest-scoring performance by a single player since January. With the playoffs within reach, his consistency in the final minutes could be the difference between a top-four seed and a grueling play-in tournament.
Why is Jaren Jackson Jr.’s late-game performance so concerning for the Grizzlies?
Jackson Jr., who signed a five-year, $150 million extension in 2022, is averaging just 1.8 points per game in clutch situations this month with a 28% field goal rate. He’s supposed to be the anchor of their defense and a go-to scorer, yet he’s been benched in the final two minutes of four of their last five losses. His absence on the final possession — failing to close out on Fox — exposed a critical flaw in Memphis’s identity. Without him performing under pressure, their championship window is closing faster than expected.
What does this loss mean for Memphis’s playoff positioning?
The Grizzlies are now 32-31, holding the 8th seed in the West — but only 3.5 games ahead of 10th place. With nine losses in ten games, they’ve fallen behind teams like the Warriors and Pelicans, who are surging. To make the play-in, they need to win at least seven of their final 13 games. Their next four opponents — Nuggets, Suns, Jazz, and Lakers — are all above .500. This loss didn’t just hurt their record; it shattered their momentum.
How does this game reflect the Spurs’ organizational shift under Brian Wright?
Under GM Brian Wright, the Spurs have pivoted from rebuilding to competing. They traded for Fox, kept Paul for mentorship, and developed young players like Sochan and Castle into role players who thrive in structure. This win wasn’t about stars — it was about execution. They’ve gone from lottery team to playoff contender in one season, proving that smart roster construction and culture can outpace pure talent. They’re now one of the most efficient teams in transition and late-clock situations.
What’s the significance of the Grizzlies scoring only 14 points in the fourth quarter?
That 14-point total was the lowest by any team in a single quarter this season — and the lowest by the Grizzlies since the 2020-21 campaign. They shot 3-of-17 from the field and committed four turnovers in the final 12 minutes. Their offense, once ranked top-5 in efficiency, has plummeted to 24th over the last 15 games. This wasn’t bad luck — it was systemic collapse. Without consistent ball movement or defensive pressure, their star players are being isolated and neutralized.
Where does this game rank among the Spurs’ biggest wins in recent memory?
It’s arguably their most significant win since 2019 — the last time they made the playoffs. Beating a playoff-contending team on a buzzer-beater, especially after trailing by one with under three minutes left, validates their turnaround. It’s the kind of win that changes locker room culture. For a franchise that’s been rebuilding for years, this game wasn’t just a victory — it was a declaration.
