When a team blows what is essentially a must-win game in the NBA Finals after leading by 29 points, the blame obviously extends well beyond just one player. San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson echoes this sentiment, but De’Aaron Fox is bearing the brunt of the ridicule following Wednesday’s mind-boggling 107-106 loss versus the New York Knicks.
With the Spurs up by one in the final 12 seconds of action, the two-time All-Star guard attempted a layup instead of milking more time off the clock and allowing the opposition to foul him. OG Anunoby recorded a block and followed it up with an instantly-legendary tip-in with 1.2 ticks remaining to seal the unprecedented comeback. People will question Fox’s decision in the many years to come, and the criticism is especially pungent less than 24 hours after the Game 4 debacle.
WNBA legend Candace Parker took a not-so-subtle jab at the former All-NBA Third-Team selection late during the Indiana Fever’s 114-106 overtime victory versus the Chicago Sky. “Aliyah Boston electing to not take the layup and dribble the ball out,” she said after the difference-making forward got the rock with her squad up three points with 21 seconds left in OT. Her broadcasting partner could not help but comment.
“Making another reference to something that happened last night?” Amazon Prime Video play-by-play man Michael Grady remarked. Parker is far from the only person who is roasting Fox in the aftermath of his rough showing, but she might have inaccurately called this one.
Candace Parker: "Aliyah Boston electing to not take the layup and dribble the ball out."
Michael Grady: "Making another reference to something that happened last night?"
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 12, 2026
Boston was driving toward the basket but appeared to lose control of the ball, so it is hard to say if she would have gone the more prudent route had the Sky not fouled her. Perhaps Parker was sitting on that zinger and wanted to sneak it in before the final buzzer sounded. While it is hard to speculate on what the three-time All-Star would have done, fans have concrete evidence that Fox did indeed forego taking two attempts from the free-throw line.
There are plenty of people who contend that Anunoby fouled the Spurs dynamo with his body, but the NBA’s Last Two Minute report stood by the no-foul call. In any case, Fox had his share of opportunities to secure a Spurs win in Madison Square Garden. He posted 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting to go with seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, one block and four turnovers.
Spurs cornerstone Victor Wembanyama endured his own scuffles — went 9-of-25 from the field — but this historic implosion will not be discussed without mentioning Fox’s blunders. Although he is possibly being limited by an ankle injury, fans will not let No. 4 off the hook. He is on the court and is therefore subjected to scrutiny.
It might take a colossal effort in the remainder of these NBA Finals for De’Aaron Fox to quiet some of the chatter.
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