De’Aaron Fox’s message after the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Finals loss was centered less on disappointment and more on belief in what the organization built during the 2025-26 season.
Speaking during his end-of-season media availability on June 15, Fox repeatedly pointed to the team’s chemistry, growth, and future potential after San Antonio finished 62-20, earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and advanced to the NBA Finals before falling to the New York Knicks in five games.
Asked what he would remember most about the season, Fox immediately highlighted the locker room culture.
“I think just the togetherness,” Fox said. “I was committed to this year. You know, I didn’t think that we’d win 60 games or be here. I think the talent gelled together quickly. I think guys loved each other, and it made playing together easier.”
The Spurs exceeded expectations behind a young core led by Victor Wembanyama, Fox, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper. Wembanyama finished the regular season averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game, while Fox earned an All-Star selection after averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists.
Despite reaching the Finals, Fox acknowledged that San Antonio’s inability to protect leads ultimately proved costly against New York. The Spurs held double-digit advantages multiple times during the series but lost four games by a combined 16 points.
“I think a lot of that is us really learning how do we play with a lead,” Fox said. “We got up 13, the timeout happens, and like I said before, we’re like, ‘What are we going to do when we get this lead?’”
Fox credited the Knicks for their resilience throughout the series.
“They did a great job,” he said. “They stuck around. Their runs kept them in the game, and then when it was time to execute down the stretch, they did.”
That inability to close games was the most frustrating aspect of the Finals defeat for Fox.
“Yeah, I think so,” Fox said. “I don’t want to sit here and be like, you’re the better team, but every game we were able to build up this lead and kind of just watch it wither away.”
“Obviously, the games were still close, and we had chances to win, but we weren’t able to execute down the stretch of those games.”
Even so, Fox made it clear he sees the Finals run as the beginning rather than the end of San Antonio’s rise.
“Continue to work together, continue to get better, obviously, as individuals and as a team,” Fox said. “Our first time going through something like this, so it’s definitely something to build off of.”
“Obviously, champions are made before winning a championship.”
Fox was especially enthusiastic when discussing the development of Castle and Harper, two players who played major roles throughout the postseason. Castle averaged 18.2 points and 6.1 assists during the playoffs, while Harper contributed 14.1 points per game as a rookie.
“The sky’s the limit,” Fox said. “These guys are all-NBA guys. They’re going to be All-Stars. They’re going to be All-Defensive guys, I think, both of them.”
“And they’re obviously a large part of, a large reason why we were so good this year, early in their career. So the sky’s definitely the limit for both of them.”
Fox also refused to blame New York’s defense for his own offensive struggles in the Finals. After averaging 18.6 points in the regular season, he scored 15.6 per game during the postseason while shooting 41.4% from the field.
“No,” Fox said when asked whether the Knicks did anything specific to slow him down. “I got shots that I’ve made in the past. Sometimes you just don’t make them.”
“Some feel good. Back rim, in and out. It is what it is.”
“Obviously, I wish I made those shots.”
Fox acknowledged New York’s physicality but ultimately placed responsibility on himself.
“The team is physical,” he said. “They force you into taking jump shots and trying to keep you out of the paint, but shots just didn’t go down for me.”
