Cam Spencer spoils Victor Wembanyama’s good comeback

It is clear that the leaders of the Western Conference are going through unexpected departures in early January 2026. After OKCit’s San Antonio that just conceded its second straight loss, losing 106-105 at Memphis despite the return of Victor Wembanyama and significant absences on the opposite side (Jay Morant, Scottie Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Brandon Clark and Zach Eddy).

With Wemby coming off the bench and the Keldon Johnson-Julian Champagnie duo still hot on 3-pointers, San Antonio did what it took to put itself in a favorable position at the end of the first quarter (21-31). Then it took a 3/3 from Vince Williams Jr. for Memphis to tie the game at 37-37 and begin to believe it again, despite a 9-0 response from the Texans in the process (37-46), maintaining a proper deficit at halftime (46-54).

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The rest, however, was less illustrious for Mitch Johnson’s troops, who endured the brunt of the locals’ moment of euphoria on outside shots in the third quarter. In turn, Cam Spencer, Jaren Jackson Jr. (twice) and Jalen Wells helped turn the balance of power by putting Memphis ahead by the score (64-61). Despite the repeated efforts of Victor Vembanyama, it was the Grizzlies who took the lead 12 minutes after the second basket from behind the arc by JJJ (82-81).

And what was supposed to happen happened. The Spurs had to fight twice to keep up and eventually found themselves trapped in a tight end of the match. And this time, the exploits of Wemby and De’Aaron Fox were enough. The leader of Texas, however, managed to bring his team back to +4 after scoring two baskets, including a three-pointer and a magnificent “blockdown” by Jalen Wells (101-105). But the former king found the breathtaking Cam Spencer on his way! The latter made a three-pointer and then a game-winning basket under pressure to finally grab the decisive defensive rebound after Santi Aldama’s counter on Fox in the final seconds of the match to secure a 106-105 victory!

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Cam Spencer, fourth quarter hero. The Grizzlies guard was the perfect “x factor” at the end of the match, scoring 13 of his 21 points in the last part, along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists. He showed great composure on his triple at 101-105 that kept his team alive, and he did it again in the process. His basket may not have been enough after Jock Landale’s 0/2 free throw at the worst possible moment, but Memphis held…

De’Aaron Fox, sprinkler. Memphis could have a lot to regret about this winning but poorly controlled end of the match. In particular, we’ll remember two counterattacks that were wasted by Jalen Wells, the first for what looked like an illegal foul, the second after suffering a very effective “pursuit block” from De’Aaron Fox. The latter could have been the hero of the match on the Texas side as he scored the last two baskets for his team and had the ball of the game at 106-105 with 11 seconds left. Except that he found himself captured and was retaliated by Santi Aldama who concluded the victory.

Successful return of Victor Vembanyama. San Antonio took its time getting him back on the field after hyperextending his left knee that tightened up last week. Reinstated from the bench, “Wemby” found rhythm and efficiency in each of his passages, finishing with 30 points in 21 minutes, as well as 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Pretty convincing, the only thing he was missing was a win!

Vince Williams Jr. is also enjoying his comeback. He’s been out eight games with knee tendinitis, in an infirmary that’s been full since the start of the season… Suffice it to say, his brilliant comeback against the Spurs was one of the good news of the night for the Grizzlies. His 15-point (4/6 from distance), 6-rebound, 5-assist game was more valuable, as were his three 3-pointers in the second quarter, when San Antonio took a dangerous lead.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.