Everything De'Aaron Fox Said About Late Layup Attempt After Spurs' NBA Finals Collapse vs. Knicks

San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox didn't try to make excuses for his failed layup attempt that was blocked by OG Anunoby in the final seconds of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals to help the New York Knicks complete a 29-point comeback.

Speaking to reporters after the 107-106 loss, Fox explained he thought he would "be able to outrun" Anunoby on the play and was trying to give the Spurs a three-point lead that would force the Knicks to take a three on their ensuing possession.

There were many things that had to go wrong for the Spurs to even be in position where Fox is at the center of this loss, but his decision to even attempt the layup with 11 seconds remaining and a 105-104 lead after the Spurs had just forced a turnover rather than try to dribble it out to at least take more time off the clock before getting fouled was a huge mistake.

Spurs-Knicks Highlights

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Even though that one play is going to stand out, Fox had a disastrous second half even by the standards of every other Spurs player as they blew an 81-52 lead over the final 22 minutes of game time.

Fox scored five points on 2-of-8 shooting and committed four turnovers with one assist in 19 minutes after the intermission.

Per NBA reporter Caitlin Cooper, the Spurs averaged just 0.387 points per chance on Fox's 44 touches in the second half.

Fox's minus-22 in the second half wasn't even the worst on the Spurs. Devin Vassell was minus-28 in 21 minutes, Victor Wembanyama was minus-27 in 23 minutes and Stephon Castle was minus-23 in 15 minutes.

It took a collective effort from the entire San Antonio team, including players and coaches, to pull off the greatest collapse in NBA Finals history. Fox is unfortunately going to be the face of it because of his mistake at the end of the game.