De’Aaron Fox spent the first five years of his NBA career in relative anonymity, playing for losing Sacramento Kings teams. But this season, things changed. Fox earned a trip to the All-Star game and the Kings reached the playoffs.
On Saturday night, Fox made his playoff debut. He made it in style.
The Kings and Golden State Warriors had an epic back-and-forth clash. When a game-tying three-point attempt from Steph Curry was off the mark, Sacramento came away with a 126-123 victory.
The Sacramento Kings get their first playoff win since 2006! 🏀👑 pic.twitter.com/v0JtSC8MDK
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 16, 2023
As would be expected, Fox was a huge reason why.
He finished with a game-high 38 points, adding five assists and three steals.
"Thompson, picked clean, took his cornbread, Fox."
Mark Jones with the epic call. pic.twitter.com/c6lGErsAig
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 16, 2023
The 38 points were tied for the second-most in NBA history for a player making his playoff debut, trailing only Luka Dončić
Fox's 38 points are also tied for the second-most in a playoff debut all-time behind just Luka Doncic's 41. H/t @ESPNStatsInfo
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) April 16, 2023
And in the opening minutes of the game, there was nothing to suggest that he’d do that. The Warriors kept Fox in check through the first half, as he finished the first two quarters with only nine points. But as he’s done throughout the season, Fox got stronger as the game grew longer. He scored 14 in the third quarter, then 15 in the fourth, sparking Sacramento’s comeback.
STEPH CORNER THREE.
FOX WITH THE ANSWER.Trading buckets late in the fourth! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Bs6vrzd03p
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 16, 2023
NBA fans heaped praise on Fox in the aftermath of his fantastic Game 1 showing.
De'Aaron Fox is a four-time NBA All-Star if he was drafted to the Lakers or Celtics lol
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) April 16, 2023
I want Fox drug tested
— Famouslos32 (@famouslos32) April 16, 2023
4th Quarter De Aaron Fox pic.twitter.com/XYTQRj0g0v
— AD FANATIC (@tywow28) April 16, 2023
Just a transcendent Fox performance. Impossible to defend. Payton was the only guy who came even close to staying in front of him. That was on the 1990s peak KJ level of downhill unstoppable.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 16, 2023
De’Aaron Fox just dropped 38 in his playoff debut vs the defending champs and outdueled the best PG in the world when it mattered. Special player.
— RB (@RyB_311) April 16, 2023
Fox and the Kings will be back at it on Monday night for Game 2 of the series. Before that, though, Fox got to thrill the Sacramento fans one more time on Saturday night, lighting the beam.
De’Aaron Fox lights the beam! 👑 🏀🟣pic.twitter.com/I1M8kKWt1f
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 16, 2023
