Spurs Refuse To Bench De'Aaron Fox For Game 5 vs. Knicks

San Antonio Spurs fans have made it clear they want De'Aaron Fox benched for Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Will they get their wish though?

With 13.1 seconds remaining and the Spurs leading 106-105 in Game 4, Fox made the questionable decision to drive to the rim with OG Anunoby trailing him. While a bucket would've put his team up three points, he should've pulled back and tried to chew up the clock. Instead, his shot attempt was blocked by Anunoby and the Knicks went down the other way and hit the go-ahead shot.

"You have to score," Fox said after the loss. "Try to get a layup, get up three [points], [and] force them to need a 3. OG made a good block."

While fans have been begging for the Spurs to bench Fox during the Finals, it doesn't sound like a move will be made.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson announced that he's committed to running the offense through Fox in crunch time.

"People will have their opinions. I don't care. I care about the people in our building and that locker room," Johnson told reporters. "De'Aaron Fox will have the basketball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow. I have nothing but the upmost confidence that he's going to deliver for us like he's done countless times."

Will this be the last run for Fox?

Fox, a two-time All-Star, is averaging 14.3 points and 6.3 assists per game in the Finals. He's been productive at times, but his field goal percentage (38.2) has been a bit underwhelming.

Even if Fox is unable to redeem himself in Game 5, it's hard to envision a scenario where he's moved this offseason. After all, he's got $221 million remaining on his deal with the Spurs.

Suffice to say, the Spurs are committed to Fox for more than just this year's Finals.

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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 12:44 PM.