On Monday night against the Clippers, Cam Spencer erupted for a season-best 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting efficiency. Memphis Grizzlies fans were in awe at his shot-making, steady ball-handling and playmaking chops. At the end of the day, his performance was shockingly reminiscent of a certain guard in San Francisco that wears number 30.
Okay, we all know Spencer likely isn't going to actually turn into Stephen Curry. But seeing him play this style has still been exciting, and a performance like Monday's really helps put the kind of impact he's making into perspective. Cam was catching and shooting, making smart reads with the ball, and putting on a clinic from behind the three-point line. He looked like a player who grew up watching Curry dominate.
For the Grizzlies, this is exactly the kind of spark they have been searching for during a season filled with uneven stretches and a disappointing start to the campaign. Memphis has needed another guard who can relieve playmaking stress, punish defenses from deep, and bring a sense of composure when possessions break down. Spencer has stepped into that role far sooner than anyone reasonably expected, and his confidence has grown with every game.
Cam Spencer has been shooting the cover off the ball
The encouraging part is that this wasn't a one-off shooting night. Spencer has been shooting incredibly well for the entire season, and he's connecting on over 50% of his attempts from beyond the arc Memphis has leaned heavily on his movement shooting, and it's opened the floor for their offense in ways they desperately needed.
Spencer has also shown poise in pick-and-roll situations. That part of his game has quietly given the Grizzlies a new dimension. Instead of running predictable sets, they can now space the floor with three shooters and let Spencer operate as a secondary initiator. It's added an element of deception that Memphis lacked earlier in the season, and has helped stabilize their second-unit minutes, which were a major weakness through the first month.
Perhaps most importantly, he plays with a fearlessness that feels contagious. Memphis has always thrived when their guards play with edge and confidence, and Spencer fits that mold. His willingness to take tough shots and trust his instincts has earned him real equity within the rotation. It's no small thing for a young guard to command that kind of respect on a team that expects to compete.
If he keeps growing at this pace, the Grizzlies may have stumbled into one of the more meaningful surprise contributors in the conference. Spencer is not Stephen Curry, and he probably never will be. But the blueprint he's following is one that has elevated countless modern guards. Memphis should be thrilled with what he's becoming.