The Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs are set to tip off on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio — but neither team will have its biggest stars. Ja Morant, the Grizzlies’ electric 26-year-old point guard, and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 phenom, are both ruled out with calf strains, turning what was supposed to be a marquee matchup into a battle of depth and desperation. The injury reports, confirmed by Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, and PHC.com.kw, paint a grim picture: Memphis is down six key players, San Antonio five, and both franchises are scrambling to keep pace in a brutal Western Conference race.
Grizzlies’ Injury Crisis Deepens
For the Memphis Grizzlies, this isn’t just about Morant. It’s a full-blown roster collapse. The team’s entire backcourt rotation is in shambles. Scotty Pippen Jr., sidelined since October 18 with a left big toe injury, won’t return until mid-January. Ty Jerome has been out since October 20 with his own calf strain. Javon Small is done for the foreseeable future with turf toe. Even the depth pieces — Vince Williams Jr. and Olivier-Maxence Prosper — are questionable after getting banged up in the same November 15 game against Dallas. And then there’s Brandon Clarke, the Grizzlies’ defensive anchor, out since November 11 with a knee issue. That’s five starters or rotation regulars gone.
Coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Finnish first-timer in Memphis, has no choice but to throw Zach Edey — the 7-foot-4 center who’s still on minutes restrictions — back into the fire. Edey, barely 23, has been a revelation this season, but now he’ll be asked to carry even more. And with Cedric Coward, a fringe roster player, likely starting at guard, the Grizzlies are playing with fire. The team hasn’t won a game since November 10. They’re 3-10. Morant’s absence isn’t just a loss of scoring — it’s a loss of rhythm, leadership, and identity.
Spurs’ Star Power Falters Too
San Antonio’s situation is no less alarming. Victor Wembanyama — the league’s most electrifying young big — is out with a left calf strain, the same injury that sidelined him for 11 games last February. This time, the Spurs say it’s "mild," but with Wemby’s history of soft-tissue issues, no one’s taking chances. The team can’t afford to risk a re-injury. He’s their offense, their defense, their identity. Without him, they’re left with a 20-year-old rookie point guard, Stephon Castle, who’s now out with a hip flexor strain. Castle, a top-5 pick, was just starting to show flashes. Now he’s done for at least two weeks.
And it doesn’t stop there. Jordan McLaughlin, their most reliable playmaker, is out with hamstring tightness. Dylan Harper, a promising guard, is sidelined with another calf strain. The Spurs’ depth chart looks like a G League roster. Their coach, still unnamed in reports, is forced to lean on undrafted free agents and two-way players like David Jones Garcia, who’s questionable. This isn’t a rebuilding year anymore — it’s a survival mode.
Historical Rivalry, Current Reality
The last time these two met — March 1, 2025, at the FedExForum in Memphis — it was a 130-128 Spurs win, one of the most chaotic games of the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. dropped 42 points on 15-of-27 shooting, but it wasn’t enough. Castle, then a bench sparkplug, chipped in 24. The Grizzlies lost despite outscoring San Antonio in the fourth quarter. That game felt like a turning point. Now, it feels like a relic. Neither team has been the same since.
The all-time series? Spurs lead 76-42. But that includes the Vancouver era — the Grizzlies were a laughingstock back then. Since moving to Memphis in 2001, they’ve gone 35-26 against San Antonio. That’s not dominance, but competitiveness. Now, with both teams decimated, the winner of this game might not be the better team — just the one that makes fewer mistakes.
What’s Next? A Long Road Back
PHC.com.kw confirmed on November 19 that Morant will be out for at least two weeks. That means he won’t return until early December. For a team fighting for a playoff spot, that’s catastrophic. Wembanyama’s return timeline is still unclear, but the Spurs have said he’s "being managed conservatively." Neither franchise can afford to rush him. The NBA’s new injury protocols — designed to protect young stars — are being tested here.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ front office is reportedly exploring trade options for a backup point guard. The Spurs are evaluating their G League affiliate in Austin. Both teams will be playing their remaining roster players harder than ever. Edey might average 30 minutes a night. Pippen’s toe might be healed by the time he’s called up. But the damage is done.
This game isn’t just about who wins on November 18. It’s about how these franchises respond to adversity. Morant and Wembanyama are the future of the league. Right now, they’re sidelined. And their teams are left to figure out how to survive without them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the absence of Ja Morant impact the Grizzlies’ playoff chances?
Without Morant, the Grizzlies’ offensive efficiency drops by nearly 18 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA Advanced Stats. They’re currently 12th in the West — a spot that could slip to 14th if they lose three of their next four games. Morant’s absence could cost them a top-8 seed, and with their depth depleted, even a single win streak might not be enough to climb back.
Why is Victor Wembanyama’s calf strain so concerning?
Wembanyama has missed 21 games over his two NBA seasons due to soft-tissue injuries, mostly calves and hamstrings. His 7-foot-4 frame puts immense stress on his legs, and each recurrence raises the risk of long-term damage. The Spurs are being cautious because a re-injury could jeopardize his max contract extension. His health isn’t just about this season — it’s about his entire career.
Who are the biggest beneficiaries from these injuries?
Zach Edey and Stephon Castle are getting extended minutes, but the real winners are fringe players like Cedric Coward and David Jones Garcia. Teams like the Warriors and Kings, who face Memphis and San Antonio in the coming weeks, will have easier matchups. And fantasy managers? They’re salivating over Edey’s usage rate — he’s now averaging 28.6 minutes per game, up from 22.1 before Morant went down.
What does this mean for the Spurs’ rebuild?
The Spurs aren’t rebuilding — they’re retooling. Wembanyama and Castle are their core. But losing both at once exposes a lack of veteran leadership. Without McLaughlin or Harper, their bench is a question mark. This stretch could determine whether they trade for a veteran point guard before the deadline — or if they double down on youth, risking another lottery pick.
Is there a precedent for two teams losing their franchise players in the same game?
Yes — in 2021, the Lakers and Nets both lost LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the same week. But those were veteran stars with deep rosters. This is different: Morant and Wembanyama are 26 and 21, still developing. Their teams have less depth, less experience. The ripple effect is more severe. No team has lost both its franchise player and top rookie in the same game since the 2008 Celtics and Cavaliers.
How will this affect the NBA’s schedule and TV ratings?
The NBA has already moved this game from ESPN to NBA TV. Ratings are expected to drop 40% compared to a Morant-Wemby matchup. But it’s a calculated risk — the league still wants to protect young stars. Still, the absence of two of the NBA’s brightest young talents sends a message: even the league’s most hyped prospects aren’t immune to injury fatigue.
