How De'aaron Fox has reinvented himself in San Antonio
de'aaron fox scored 18 points in the Spurs' 139-122 win over the Kings on Saturday night, a performance that underscores a broader reinvention since he joined San Antonio on February 3, 2025. The outing and recent praise from the coaching staff highlight how Fox has balanced efficient scoring with a clear leadership role on a young contender.
Efficient 18-point outing Saturday
Fox finished the game 7-of-11 from the field, including 1-of-3 from long range and 3-of-4 at the free-throw line, for a 63. 6% shooting clip in the contest. He also added two rebounds and five assists in the 139-122 victory. That scoring night was only the second time in eight games this month he has shot better than 60% from the field, and it extended a stretch in which he has produced consistently: it was his third straight game with double-digit points and his 19th such outing in the past 20 contests. At the same time, he committed five turnovers in the game, his most in nearly a month.
De'aaron Fox's role in San Antonio
Since arriving in San Antonio, Fox has shifted from being the unquestioned franchise leader in Sacramento to integrating alongside the Spurs' existing core. While his shot attempts have fallen—averaging almost three fewer attempts per game—and his scoring is about two points lower on average, other counting stats such as rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and personal fouls have remained in line with his career marks. Playing slightly fewer minutes—shaved by approximately one minute from his previous average—Fox has not seen a collapse in production; rather, his surroundings have changed.
Mitch Johnson on leadership
Head coach Mitch Johnson has highlighted the dual nature of Fox's contribution: All-Star-level play combined with a leadership approach that helps younger teammates grow. Johnson noted the unusual dynamic of a twenty-eight-year-old All-Star willingly taking a complementary role next to the team's twenty-two-year-old face of the franchise, allowing younger guards room to develop. That temperament has been singled out as a stabilizing force for the roster and a model for the Spurs' developmental culture.
The roster context has mattered. Playing alongside a generational talent and with perimeter defenders and a rim protector around him has allowed Fox to gamble more on defense at times, using his quickness and anticipation to create advantages. Observers have pointed to a steady progression in his game since joining the club: he has diversified his offensive weapons, remained an open-court three-point threat in one-on-one situations, and translated his previous experience as a franchise centerpiece into on-court mentorship for younger guards.
Fox's selection as an All-Star replacement this season—chosen to take the roster spot vacated by another player—served as a formal recognition of both his performance level and the Spurs' standing as a team not carried by a single player. That nod, combined with the recent string of efficient games and sustained assist totals, has reinforced the narrative of Fox as a player who has adapted his role while maintaining high-level production.
Key indicators to watch going forward include the continuation of his scoring consistency and his streak of games with five or more assists. If those trends hold, they will reinforce the case that the Spurs have strengthened through complementary star power and veteran leadership. If turnovers reappear at elevated levels, they could offset some of the gains from his efficient shooting nights; for now, the balance between production and mentorship is the most notable story of Fox's first months in San Antonio.
