Spurs Coach Under Fire for Fateful NBA Finals Decision

Following a disastrous result in Game 4 in which the San Antonio Spurs blew a 29-point lead, head coach Mitch Johnson responded to criticism of his decision to continue to play De’Aaron Fox, who made numerous mistakes that cost the game.

“I don’t get into social media,” Johnson said after the game. “I think I’ve been fired 212 times, and we’ve traded Fox 72 times. People have their opinions. I don’t care. I care what the people that matter in our building, our organization, in that locker room, that they know how I feel.”

He went on to make it clear Fox would play a major role in the rest of the series.

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De’Aaron Fox will have the basketball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow, and I have the utmost confidence he’s going to deliver like he’s done countless times for us,” he concluded.

Johnson stuck to his word, giving Fox minutes in the most important game of his career – and the point guard failed to deliver. In the final quarter, Fox finished with 0 points, 0 assists, and 0 rebounds while shooting 0-for-4 from the field.

The Spurs coach took immediate heat for his decision from longtime NBA veteran Nick Van Exel who said, “Mitch Johnson died on that Fox hill and he didn't have to. He had options.”

San Antonio could have turned to Dylan Harper, who showed he has what it takes to compete at the highest level and excel in pressure situations.

Instead, Johnson chose Fox and the Spurs are headed home empty-handed.

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 1:02 PM.