Wembanyama dominates inside as Spurs trounce Grizzlies 123-98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks as the San Antonio Spurs built an early lead and coasted to a 123-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Devin Vassell matched Wembanyama's 19 points, while Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson finished with 15 points each, as seven Spurs finished in double figures.

With its seventh straight victory, San Antonio moved within two games of Oklahoma City for the top spot in the Western Conference as the Boston Celtics stopped the Thunder's 12-game winning streak with a 119-109 victory on Wednesday night.

GG Jackson led Memphis with 20 points. Olivier-Maxence Prosper finished with 17 and DeJon Jarreau added 15 as the Grizzlies lost their fourth in a row.

From the opening play — a lob to Wembanyama — the Spurs dominated. An early 22-4 lead became a 57-44 margin at the half.

The Spurs used Wembanyama's height to open the second half, and San Antonio extended the lead to 20 points or more in the third. When Wembanyama converted a 3-pointer as the third quarter ended, the Spurs' lead was 98-64.

While San Antonio is jockeying for postseason seeding, Memphis is focusing on next season. Memphis has dropped 12 of the last 13 and won only four since the All-Star break.

Injuries continue to plague Memphis. Ten players did not dress for the Spurs game, and the team announced Tuesday that starters Ja Morant and Zach Edey, along with key frontline reserve Brandon Clarke, are done for the season after undergoing various medical procedures.

That left Memphis with its tallest starter at 6-9 against the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama. San Antonio outscored Memphis in the paint 56-34 and held a 59-33 advantage on the boards.

Spurs: Close out a three-game road trip at Milwaukee on Saturday night.

Grizzlies: Host Houston on Friday night.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) handles the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, and guard Dylan Harper, center, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Taylor Hendricks (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Norman Powell scored 19 points, Tyler Herro added 18 and the Miami Heat got contributions from everyone while stopping a five-game losing skid with a 120-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

As healthy as they've been all season, the Heat squandered a 17-point lead in the third quarter before recovering in the fourth. Miami led by nine with five minutes left before Bam Adebayo converted a three-point play and Kel'el Ware scored on a layup in an 11-second span.

Adebayo finished with 17 points, Ware had 13 points and 11 rebounds and the Heat had eight players score in double figures. The Heat will stay in Cleveland and play the Cavaliers again on Friday.

Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points before fouling out in the final minutes for the Cavs, whose winning streak ended at four. James Harden and Sam Merrill scored 18 apiece.

Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson was hoping for a better defensive effort from his team, which gave up 131 points against Orlando on Tuesday. Atkinson believes the Cavs are capable of more, but said they need to “make the shift in mentality” with the playoffs nearing.

The Heat, with one of the NBA's most potent offenses, were a good test and they controlled most of the first three quarters. Miami made 13 3-pointers while opening a 21-point lead in the first half.

Center Jarrett Allen missed his 10th straight game for the Cavs, who haven't been fully healthy all season. The latest injury came in warmups as forward Dean Wade rolled his right ankle when he stepped on a ballboy's foot. Wade has started 36 games.

The teams meet Friday for the fourth and final time this season.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, right, shoots over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Nae'qwan Tomlin (35) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell goes up for a shot next to Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) grabs a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)