The stage is set for an exciting clash as brothers Cam and Pat Spencer prepare to face off for the first time in an NBA game, when the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Golden State Warriors this Saturday night in San Francisco.
This shock marks the second night of a series of consecutive games for the Grizzlies, who were beaten by the Sacramento Kings, losing 138-133 on Friday. Jaylen Wells was impressive, lighting up the scoreboard with 30 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added a respectable 28 points for Memphis, which has alternated between wins and losses on the five-game road trip.
Cam Spencer, who played a key role in UConn winning the national title last season, was absent from the lineup in the loss to Sacramento but had appeared in five of the Grizzlies’ previous seven games after overcoming a sprain. in the right ankle which had delayed his NBA debut. So far this season, he has 30 points in eight appearances.
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In contrast, his older brother Pat, 28, has yet to reach that figure in two seasons with the Warriors, having scored a total of just 18 points. Pat, who enjoyed a strong college career at Northwestern, had to settle for a backup role in Golden State’s last two games, including a dominating 139-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, where he remained silent in 13 minutes of play.
Speaking of the Warriors, Stephen Curry stole the show in their last game, making eight three-pointers and finishing with 30 points, leading the team with an average of 22.3 points per game.
This long-awaited match comes after two previous meetings between the Grizzlies and the Warriors where the Spencer brothers were unable to face each other. Cam was on the sideline during their first meeting on November 15, when the Warriors earned a 123-118 home victory, and Pat was unavailable when Golden State suffered a heavy 144-93 loss at Memphis on December 19, during which Cam contributed five points.
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Despite their rivalry on the field, the Spencer brothers join forces for philanthropic efforts, addressing the important issue of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military families. Growing up near a naval base in Annapolis, Maryland, they established the Spencer Brothers Foundation with their basketball winnings to support affected families.
Additionally, they partnered with Texas-based Chillshark to develop cold water baths, scientifically proven to help relieve PTSD symptoms.
Cam highlights their bond, saying the collaboration was inevitable even amid their professional differences, saying, “We grew up playing all kinds of sports, and we’re as tight-knit as they come. We’re fierce competitors on the field , but outside of it, we always have each other’s backs. We are each other’s biggest fans.”
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Pat, who was a college lacrosse star before switching to basketball and joining Northwestern, recognizes their contrasting playing styles, saying, “We complement each other pretty well. He’s more of a sharpshooter. I’m more of a facilitator and a playmaker. I could be more athletic and a better defender on the ball, while he has a great feel for the game off the ball.”
As the countdown to kickoff begins, the Spencer brothers are poised to make headlines on what promises to be an unforgettable night of basketball.
