De’Aaron Fox shared his thoughts on his first game as the point guard for 7-foot-3 Victor Wembanyama:
“He is different,” Fox said. “He is special. Just the type of defensive attention he receives allows you to do things you don’t normally do.”
It turned out to be a great start for Fox with the San Antonio Spurs.
Fox scored 24 points, matched his season high with 13 assists, and Wembanyama’s clutch free throw with 2.4 seconds left helped the Spurs win 126-125 against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
Fox had been traded to San Antonio from Sacramento in a three-team trade on Sunday.
Before the game, acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had predicted that Fox would fit in fast with the team.
“A player of his caliber and experience has been around the league,” said Johnson, now in his seventh season. “… I don’t see any issue with him getting up to speed.”
Fox quickly showed he was comfortable in his new role. He took the Spurs’ first shot and had 18 points by halftime.
“He just brings a lot to the table for us,” Wembanyama said.
“Our goals for the season are even more attainable. We get to use all our strengths and we just added a big strength.”
Wembanyama, who was the NBA’s rookie of the year last season and will make his All-Star Game debut this month, added 24 points. He purposely missed his second free throw at the end of the game to prevent Atlanta from having a chance at a last play. Trae Young then missed a long three-pointer.
Fox contributed five rebounds and three steals.
“When I came in everybody told me to be myself and not to come in and try to fit in,” Fox said, expressing how impressed he was with his new teammates. “That’s why I think this group can be special.”
