Unless the San Antonio Spurs come back and win the NBA Finals over the New York Knicks, De’Aaron Fox is probably never going to live down the end of Game 4.
Let’s take it to the end of the fourth quarter. With the Spurs hanging on for dear life after blowing a 20-point fourth-quarter lead (they also led by 29 at one point), all Fox had to do was dribble it out after an errant Knicks possession, get fouled, make some free throws, and the Spurs would’ve likely tied this championship series. Instead, with the Spurs clinging to a one-point lead, Fox elected to take an ill-advised layup to try to ice the win there and then instead. It was unfortunately blocked by OG Anunoby, with the Knicks gaining possession.
If only Fox’s mistakes had stopped there. With the Knicks seemingly intent on “letting it play out” for a possible game-winning shot, Fox instead fouled Jose Alvarado at halfcourt, saving the Knicks from themselves, who would now inbound the ball on their side of the court with play stopped.
The rest, as they say, is history. Anunoby would make the game-winning tip on the next play to complete the biggest comeback ever in the NBA Finals, and the Spurs’ season is officially on the brink.
Again, Fox can redeem himself if the Spurs can somehow complete the comeback. But coming back from down 3-1 will be the tallest of orders. It doesn’t seem very realistic.
