De'Aaron Fox Falters in NBA Finals

De'Aaron Fox's split-second decision will haunt him, as his miscalculation led to a block by OG Anunoby with 11 seconds left, ultimately costing the Spurs Game 4.

What happened?

The Spurs were up 106-105 with less than 15 seconds left when Fox tipped the rebound to himself and decided to go for a layup. Fox believed he could outrun Anunoby, but the Knicks player made the block of his life.

Why it matters for De'Aaron Fox

The 28-year-old point guard had a fraction of a second to make a decision, and his mistake has landed him in the eye of the storm. Fox signed a four-year, $229 million extension with the Spurs in August, and they trusted him to shepherd the team in clutch moments. The Spurs traded for Fox in February 2025, but his gamble didn't go his way this time.

What comes next?

The Spurs' collapse from a 29-point lead will be talked about for generations, and Fox's mistake is the most memorable. Fox had 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in Game 4, but it took him 16 shots to get those points. He also had four turnovers, including a glaring one with two minutes left. The Knicks' Jalen Brunson attempted a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left that rimmed out, but he then tipped in the ball with 1.2 seconds remaining. Fox's rough series continues, with him averaging 14.3 points over the last four games, less than half as much as Brunson's 29.5 points. The Spurs' series has been defined by little mistakes with monumental consequences, and Fox's mistake might ultimately sink them in the NBA Finals.