Every bad play in De'Aaron Fox's horrid second half, from baffling passes to layup attempt that cost Spurs

When the Spurs acquired De'Aaron Fox at the 2025 trade deadline, they thought they had landed a veteran floor general well-equipped to spearhead a youthful attack alongside Victor Wembanyama.

They've largely been proven correct; Fox played a pivotal part in leading San Antonio to the NBA Finals. On Wednesday night, however, he endured one of the worst displays of his career.

The Spurs surrendered a 29-point lead, capitulating down the stretch to fall 107-106 to the Knicks. Fox's fingerprints were all over the defeat, with his second-half showcase leaving something to be desired.

Here is every terrible play from De’Aron Fox in the second half pic.twitter.com/CQrPOTVZeO

Fox, who has been felled by an ankle sprain he suffered during San Antonio's series with the Timberwolves, looked anything but the steely vet he had been billed to be prior to his arrival. He struggled to get to his spots and turned the ball over a handful of times, particularly when matched up against OG Anunoby.

With that, here's a look back at Fox's infamous second-half showing.

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Every bad play in De'Aaron Fox's horrid second half

Spurs 81, Knicks 59 - Errant pass leads to turnover (7:27 in third quarter)

San Antonio's floor general missed his target while attempting to find Wembanyama on the pick-and-pop. The ball fell into Jalen Brunson's hands, leading to a New York fast break.

Spurs 81, Knicks 62 - Iso ball leads to contested jumper (5:59 in third quarter)

The Spurs' offence stalled in a major way in the third quarter. Fox failed to stop the rot, settling for a contested step-back three after failing to displace Josh Hart. Predictably, the ball caromed off the rim. Fox was subbed out shortly thereafter.

Spurs 90, Knicks 72 - Fox throws ball out of bounds (1:09 in third quarter)

With a little more than a minute left in the third, Fox danced across the timeline, spotting Stephon Castle creeping on the other side of the floor. Fox tried to find him with a chest pass. But Castle wasn't looking. Fox's pass spurned Castle's grasp, bringing about another turnover.

Spurs 90, Knicks 75 - Fox dribbles ball off his own foot (0:33 in third quarter)

Fox sized up Brunson, attempting to take advantage of the diminutive guard's defensive frailties. However, while darting towards the rim, the ball caromed off of Fox's foot and tumbled out of bounds.

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Spurs 104, Knicks 100 - Fox misses triple (2:43 in fourth quarter)

With a little less than three minutes left in regulation and San Antonio clinging to a slim advantage, Fox traipsed down the floor. He was met by OG Anunoby, a two-time second team All-Defense forward who collected Defensive Player of the Year votes this season. Anunoby flicked the ball from Fox's grasp, sending the orb into the backcourt as the shot clock dwindled.

Fox recovered, turned upstream and fired another three-point attempt at towards the rim with five seconds left on the shot clock. His effort spurned his glistening target, leading to another New York possession. Brunson would hit a three on the ensuing play to cut the Spurs' advantage to just one.

Spurs 104, Knicks 103 - Fox throws ball away once more (2:00 in fourth quarter)

Fox had the ball in his grasp as action neared its crescendo, shaking off Anunoby to set up a one-on-one matchup with Karl-Anthony Towns. He leapt in the air, surrendering his dribble and forcing him into an awkward pass as Wembanyama cut to the basket. His toss found Josh Hart, who streaked to the basket for an uncontested layup. Unfortunately for Hart, he missed the two, sparing Fox from embarrassment.

Knicks 105, Spurs 104 - Fox misses 18-foot pull-up (0:32 in fourth quarter)

Fox attempted to play hero for San Antonio in the game's waning seconds, creeping inside the arc before firing an off-balance jumper towards the rim. His effort missed its mark.

Spurs 106, Knicks 105 - Fox opts to attempt layup instead of dribbling ball out, proceeds to get swatted by Anunoby (0:11 in fourth quarter)

After corralling a loose ball with about 10 seconds left, Fox could have dribbled the ball out and forced New York to send him to the free throw line. Instead, he tossed a limp effort towards the rim. Anunoby gobbled the effort up, leading to another New York possession.

Spurs 106, Knicks 105 - Fox fouls Jose Alvarado, denying San Antonio of would-be turnover (0:06 in fourth quarter)

Fox followed up his miscue with another, fouling Alvarado while he ran aimlessly up the court. San Antonio had a foul to give, so the logic was somewhat understandable. However, Alvarado dribbled the ball backcourt after crossing the half-court line. Had Fox not fouled him beforehand, the Spurs would've gotten the ball back via turnover.

Knicks 107, Spurs 106 - Fox leaves Anunoby to double Brunson, leading to game-winning tip (0:02 in fourth quarter)

Fox sealed his dour second-half showing with a kiss, opting to double Brunson — who was guarded by unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Wembanyama — instead of keeping tabs on his matchup, Anunoby. Brunson's sidestep triple leapt off the rim, landing nicely into Anunoby's path. The Knicks wing floated the ball into the net, sending Madison Square Garden into raptures — all at Fox's expense.