Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox candidly acknowledges the Magic’s wild end

Although he didn’t play many games with San Antonio SpursThe 2023 NBA Player of the Year has already enjoyed some big late-game moments with his relatively new team. Acquired via trade in February, marked the December 3rd game against the Orlando Magic De’Aaron Fox30. tilt with silver and black.

Like the night before when the ninth-year pro made some big shots in the fourth quarter win against the Memphis GrizzliesFox again led San Antonio in the waning moments of a 114-112 win at Florida. After the game, Fox spoke candidly about his team’s final offensive drive, which began with 7.7 seconds left.

“Uh, I actually lost the ball. In a close game like that, you’re trying to get the last shot and when I pull it, I finally looked up and saw there was, like, four seconds left. I thought I was too late, but I didn’t want to take that shot because you make it or you miss, they still have a lot of time, or the Spurs stars split,”

After that revelation that he made the move earlier than he wanted, Fox then admitted that the show didn’t start as planned before making his thoughts on the important call clear.

“I ended up losing it, and as I was returning the ball, Jonathan (Isaac) arrived, so I don’t know what they were arguing about. It was obviously a foul.”

Spurs’ top scorer in their absence Victor Wembanyama went to the line and hit both free throws to give the silver and black a lead they would not lose.

“I’m going up there and I felt confident in making those free throws. So knock them down and then try to get another stop.”

Spurs’ Mitch Johnson discusses the game’s final design

Without Wembey, there was little doubt that Spurs would go to Fox as their first option.

“We just wanted to get him the ball and give him space and we thought he did a good job offensively,” head coach Mitch Johnson said. “And they (the Magic) made a play and it was kind of a loose ball, which is always a shot play.

“Tough game, but again, his poise and composure to go to the free throw line and knock them down was a great job by De’Aaron.”

Fox is averaging 25 points per game this season. That’s exactly where he’s been for most of the last six seasons, the last third of which he spent in San Antonio.

“Yeah. He did it for us this year,” Johnson added.

With Vembanyama missing due to injury, Fox scored at least 24 points in all but one of those games over a period of three weeks. The Spurs are 7-2 during that span. It’s a race not lost on Johnson.

“His confidence and experience in just closing out games is extremely valuable to us.”

That much was obvious. Regardless of the specifics of Fox’s late heroics.