Focus on Fox and the Spurs’ Challenge

Victor Wembanyama is the talk of the town, yet De’Aaron Fox is grabbing attention too.

As the Spurs’ point guard and a veteran at 28, Fox expressed confidence on Sunday that San Antonio can overcome their current 2-0 deficit against the Knicks in the NBA Finals.

“We lost the first game at home, but we fought back,” Fox mentioned. “We’ve been strong on the road in the playoffs. I don’t think anyone in the locker room doubts our ability to turn this around.”

His steadfast belief is particularly significant for a team featuring younger players like 22-year-old Wembanyama, 21-year-old Stephon Castle, and 20-year-old Dylan Harper.

It’s worth noting that only five teams in NBA history have made a comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the Finals, and none have achieved this after losing the first two games at home.

Game 3 practically feels like a must-win match for the Spurs.

Fox is gearing up to elevate his game and lead with intensity come Monday.

After a tough start in Game 1 where he scored just seven points on 3-of-13 shooting, he rebounded in Game 2 with a solid 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-2 from the three-point line.

He’s determined to take it a notch higher for Game 3.

“It could get worse quickly, or we could fight back,” Fox observed. “I need to come out aggressive and inspire the team to follow along.”

When Fox talks, the Spurs pay attention.

While contributors like Harrison Barnes and Luke Kornet possess championship experience, Fox stands out as a playoff veteran, a rarity for this Spurs roster.

“He’s a reliable guy when we need him,” Wembanyama noted. “People tend to overlook how valuable our young guard is.”

Behind the scenes, Fox has been instrumental in coaching his teammates all season.

During a past game against the Warriors before the All-Star break, he called a timeout to get clarity from his teammates because he felt they were lacking focus. “Do we want to be the team that everyone wants to beat?” he questioned.

His words snapped the Spurs out of their temporary funk, allowing them to finish the season strong with a 62-20 record.

Fox averaged 18.6 points per game this season, shooting 48.6 percent, along with 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds. This marks a decline from his career-high of 26.6 points with the Kings in the 2023-24 season.

Despite still being capable of impressive stats, he’s adjusted his game playing alongside Wembanyama after being traded from the Kings in February 2025.

His selflessness has not gone unnoticed by teammates like Barnes, who played with Fox in Sacramento before moving to San Antonio.

“It’s a big deal,” Barnes remarked. “What he’s done since he arrived last year is remarkable. He was scoring 50 and 60 points in a single week! People often overlook his contributions, especially considering the youth of this squad. It’s only his second playoff run.”

Fox has gained immense respect from teammates for his humility, skill, and leadership.

Before becoming a Spur, Fox played a crucial role in leading the Kings to the No. 3 seed in the West, marking the end of a 16-year playoff drought back in 2023.

Now, he’s facing an even greater challenge: inspiring the Spurs to believe in themselves despite external doubt.

“We have a talented group that is eager to collaborate and play together,” Fox emphasized. “But it’s crucial that we improve our performance.”