De’Aaron Fox on Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle’s absence

Without what could be three of their top four players, San Antonio Spurs they were trying to hold on and avoid a streak of three defeats. Honestly, it helped that the Sacramento Kings they were fighting against were. But combine the king’s individual talent with absence Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harperand securing victory would not be easy for De’Aaron Fox and the Spurs, who were on the field.

A 2023 All-Star and one of the NBA’s best consistent scorers for the better part of the past six seasons, Fox has often talked about why the Spurs traded for him from Sacramento last February.

ClutchPoints asked the nine-year veteran if the 123-110 win was one of those examples.

“You kind of still stay inside…” Fox replied before pausing to clarify a bit.

“Yeah, I mean, I try to stay aggressive no matter who’s out there, but, obviously, I don’t have two guys that have the ball in their hands a lot, yeah, I know I’m going to have the ball a little bit more.”

The play after L-GS, the ball was back in De’Aaron Fox’s hands

Talked to him about potentially taking control with that in mind #Spurs injuries…
⬇ “I tried to stay aggressive regardless… but… I know I’ll have the ball a little bit more…

More to come in the report…#PorVida pic.tvitter.com/cidDeuprMh

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) November 17, 2025

“We’ve had a group of guys step up, and for me it’s continuing to try to do what I do and be a little more aggressive, but knowing that I have other guys that are able to put the ball in the basket,” the former Kentucky star added.

De’Aaron Fox leads Spurs to victory

The NBA Player of the Year in Clutch was coming off arguably his roughest performance as a Spur. After losing to the Golden State Warriors in their first straight contest against the Dubs, the Silver and Black built a ten-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. But missed shots and turnovers plagued Fox and the Spurs down the stretch. It included a foul on a potential game winner at the buzzer.

Given his arrival after the middle of last season and surgery on his shooting hand that prematurely ended his year, Fox played a total of 22 games with the Spurs.

ClutchPoints spoke with Harrison Barnes about Fox’s prowess as a creator and shooter. The 14-year NBA vet spent five-plus seasons with Fox in Sacramento.

“Absolutely. I mean, I think this is maybe his fifth, fourth, sixth game back,” Barnes replied, alluding to what he’s seen time and time again from Fox throughout his career.

“(He) Didn’t have a training camp, you know what I mean?” Barnes continued. “I think there’s still a process of him getting his legs under him, but he’s starting to get into shape, continuing to be himself. I think as the season goes on, he’s going to get better and better. And I think just the collective reps we’re getting with him as a point guard, him on the floor in different situations, it’s only going to get better.”

Fox’s 22 points per game in just five games this season (an offseason hamstring injury delayed his start) ranks second only to Wembey’s 26.2.

Although in the absence of VembayamaFox is more than comfortable taking on the role he’s known for years – a role the Spurs will need a lot more of if they want to contend.