What the heck happened? That’s one way of putting it. An answer is required to solve this “Fox problem.”
De’Aaron Fox has played as a very talented guard in the NBA for almost a decade.
Over eight years with Sacramento, he averaged 21.5 PPG and blossomed into a real scoring threat. However, Fox did not achieve much playoff success during his career with the Kings. He only reached the playoffs once, in 2023, when he averaged 27.4 PPG. The Kings lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
But when Sacramento traded him to the Spurs last season, his hope for playoff success began to grow.
The shift started slowly, as the Spurs missed the playoffs yet again last season with a disappointing 34-48 record, but their fortunes changed dramatically when they jumped to the second seed with a 62-20 record one year later. After Fox posted 18.6 PPG and earned an All-Star nod this season, many expected him to contribute heavily in the playoffs. He contributed decently throughout, scoring more than 20 points multiple times in the first and second rounds.
Fox and Wemby (photo courtesy NBC Sports)
Unfortunately, he remained a contributor rather than a game-changer, especially in the Finals. Fox averaged 12.8 PPG on the biggest stage, which, quite frankly, is extraordinarily disappointing for a starting PG who just received an All-Star nod. He scored just seven points twice in the series while playing over 30 minutes.
But the worst of his luck came after the Spurs built a 29-point lead in Game Four. The Knicks had narrowed the gap to one point with under 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson missed a layup over Victor Wembanyama, and Fox chased down the rebound far ahead of him. By the time he caught up with the ball, OG Anunoby was right next to him.
Fox needed only to hold the ball and force Anunoby to foul him to seal the victory effectively. But instead, with 12 seconds remaining and the Spurs facing a 3-1 deficit, he attempted a layup. OG Anunoby blocked the shot. The Knicks called a timeout, and after Jalen Brunson missed a jumper, OG tipped in the ball with 1.2 seconds left to take a one-point lead. That heartbreaking loss effectively ended the Spurs’ season.
San Antonio lost in Game Five by four points, and Fox was a non-contributor with his second seven-point performance in the series. With that loss, he completed one of the most disappointing Finals performances by a star guard in recent memory.
Now, there is a very real Fox problem down in Texas.
