Spurs HC Defends De’Aaron Fox After Magic Johnson and Others Criticize Game 4 Losing Play

De'Aaron Fox attempted a layup with OG Anunoby on his heels where the Spurs guard could have dribbled it around and killed time.

Spurs HC Defends De’Aaron Fox After Magic Johnson and Others Criticize Game 4 Losing Play

De'Aaron Fox and Magic Johnson (Image via FirstSportz)

Victor Wembanyama and head coach Mitch Johnson drew a lot of criticism for their part in the meltdown that occurred in the second half of Game 4. But they were not alone, as De’Aaron Fox ended up facing most of the brunt.

The veteran was brought in to be the Frenchman’s No. 2. But in the NBA Finals, the Kentucky guard almost vanished behind the other younger players on the starting five.

His performances and poor efficiency were called out after every game. There was a slight improvement, but that was not the reason he faced the music after their last battle at Madison Square Garden.

It was one of the final plays of the game when Fox managed to tap the ball forward, raced ahead of OG Anunoby, and then tried to lay it up.

The only problem is that he did not realize that the Knicks forward had caught up with and eventually blocked the ball from going up. The Knicks retained possession, and then Anunoby’s tip went on to give the home team the lead.

Had the 28-year-old dribbled it out of reach of his opponents, he would have drained a lot of time from the clock. No wonder Charles Barkley and others started to criticize him.

I don’t get into social media… People have their opinions. I don’t care… De’Aaron Fox will have the ball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow, and I have nothing but the utmost confidence that he’s gonna deliver like he’s done countless times for us.

Mitch Johnson told reporters

This was Mitch Johnson making it clear that nothing anybody says is going to change how he fields De’Aaron Fox in the remaining games.

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Magic Johnson criticized De’Aaron Fox for botching the layup

Since that play ended up being the one to draw the most reactions, First Take had to spend a segment talking about it. Since they had Magic Johnson on as a guest, they asked for his opinion.

De'Aaron Fox and Mitch Johnson
De’Aaron Fox and Mitch Johnson (Image via Brasil Coast/X)

He should’ve pulled the ball back out… I think that play really hurt the Spurs… De’Aaron is a point guard, you gotta know every situation. My job as a point guard was to know every situation.

Magic Johnson said

The Hall of Famer dove into his experience playing the same position to point out how his job was to be aware of everything that was happening on the court.

That is why Johnson made it clear that the right thing to do at the time was to pull out of the layup and use his speed and agility to drain the clock.

The Lakers’ legend acknowledged that Victor Wembanyama‘s two missed free throws hurt the Spurs, but De’Aaron Fox’s botched layup ended up costing them the game.

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Coach of the Year runner-up wants Spurs to support De’Aaron Fox

As expected, discussions about De’Aaron Fox’s game-altering layup attempt were on every show on every network. When Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff appeared on NBA Today, Kendrick Perkins asked him what his message would have been to the Spurs point guard.

We love you, and we need you… Keep pouring into him, give him confidence, and let him go out there and be his best.

JB Bickerstaff said

The 2026 Coach of the Year runner-up detailed how he would have given Fox a lot of love, just so the former fifth-overall pick could regain his confidence.

That is the only way the Spurs can hope that the two-time All-Star can bring his focus back to the task at hand. Bickerstaff made it clear that Fox is a terrific player. Hence, the Spurs should be looking to rebuild his confidence so that they can be that good player when Game 5 comes around.

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