The San Antonio Spurs made a decision in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. They chose to play their All-Star point guard instead of a rookie for the majority of the fourth quarter. And it was almost certainly the wrong move.
De'Aaron Fox is the only member of the Spurs' starting lineup with playoff experience. He is a prolific scorer, dynamic in transition, a solid passer and an engaged defender. In almost any circumstance, it would be the right move to close the game with a player of his pedigree.
But after Fox turned in one of the worst quarters of his career in Game 1, a game where the Spurs gave up a 14-point second-half lead to lose by 10 points to the New York Knicks, and after rookie Dylan Harper was clearly one of the best players on the court for most of the game, suddenly things are turning topsy-turvy. And Fox might lose his spot in the closing lineup -- and fast.
De'Aaron Fox played over Dylan Harper - and flopped
At the end of the third quarter, Harper was having himself a game. He was the Spurs' leading scorer at that point, dropping 16 points with a variety of creative finishes, aggressively attacking the paint again and again.
In the fourth quarter, he then played only three minutes and thirty-three seconds, not taking a single shot. Instead, the ball was in the hands of Fox, who played 11 minutes in the fourth quarter.
In those minutes, Fox scored zero points, could only gain separation to take two shots, had two turnovers and zero assists, and committed three fouls. It was one of the worst single-quarter performances of his career, and it came at the exact worst time.
For the game, Fox was 3-for-13, missing all four of his 3-pointers. He scored only seven points in 38 minutes of action; no Spurs player was on the court for more. And in that fourth quarter, again and again he tried to attack the Knicks' defense, only to be repelled over and over.
De'Aaron Fox is in danger
Fox is a multi-time All-Star and a former Clutch Player of the Year. He is on a lucrative max contract that extends for years to come. He has had some big moments for a young Spurs team that has gone further than anyone expected prior to the season.
He has also put in some real duds in these playoffs, with Game 1 of the NBA Finals taking the cake. There is no time to mess around; you only get so many chances before the series is over. Mitch Johnson has to make the best decision for his team to win as soon as possible.
With Harper looking like the coolest rookie to reach the Finals since Magic Johnson, and Fox finding himself looking helpless in the biggest moments, the clock is ticking. Prominent NBA media members are already calling for Fox to lose his spot in the closing lineup - or more:
Dylan Harper needs to take the Fox minutes moving forward in this series. Harper should be playing near 40.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 4, 2026
The danger sign is illuminated for De'Aaron Fox. Despite the contract, despite the pedigree, despite his star power, he is playing worse than the young gun behind him. Mitch Johnson can only play his three-guard lineup for so many minutes. At some point, he will need to bench one of the trio of Fox, Harper and Stephon Castle.
In Game 1, it was Harper getting the boot. He played 27 minutes. Yet he is more aggressive, more athletic, and better-equipped to defend Jalen Brunson. The clock is ticking for Fox.
And it might run out as soon as Game 2. Fox needs to turn things around, or he will play himself right out of the closing lineup.
