With 5 minutes and 48 seconds left in the first quarter, De’Aaron Fox challenged Draymond Green after a physical foul on Keegan Murray. Both players received a technical foul. In a game where he was again devilishly efficient against the Warriors defense, finishing with 38 points at 48% success, it was Fox’s leadership that stood out even more.
After a disappointing Game 3, Mike Brown implored his players to play harder. The Kings responded present in the game but also in their behavior, starting with De’Aaron Fox. By insulting Green, the Kings point guard showed all his teammates that he was there for them and that they did not have to fear the Warriors on their floor and in this series.
“Fox came to defend his teammate. That I respect”readily admitted Draymond Green. “I respect it 100% and I love it. Fox is a great player, he continues to improve with each game. »
In the game, Fox was aggressive from the opening minutes of the match, attacking Jordan Poole, Stephen Curry and Kevon Looney on pick-and-roll whenever he had the chance. He kept this mindset throughout the game to launch his team headfirst into what looks like a boxing match between the two teams.
“We are not surprised”said Domantas Sabonis about his leader after the meeting. “I told you before the start of the playoffs. I knew he was going to continue doing what he did during the regular season, and probably even be better than that. He’s incredible, he’s been pulling us up since the start of the series. »
“We had several air pockets that pay cash against a team like the Warriors”
In the first four playoff games of his career, Fox averaged 31.5 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds to tie Stephen Curry. He is becoming a real star but Mike Brown is not satisfied.
“Fox was amazing…offensively”he stops before continuing. “He was better than Game 3 defensively, but that’s not enough. We need him to be as efficient in defense. We need him to continue like this and do even more if we hope to take out the defending champions. »
Mike Brown’s words say a lot about his expectations but also about De’Aaron Fox. Brown is known for challenging his players, even the stars. He did the same with Stephen Curry during his time at Golden State, especially on defense. By setting the bar so high for Fox, he also sends a message to the rest of his squad and since the start of the season the player has achieved the objectives, accepting the challenge, the criticism and the cow love of his coach.
Despite a solid collective performance, the Kings lost the game. This defeat came from numerous mistakes in the last quarter, especially in defense, forgetting the “Splash Brothers” twice for two award-winning shots.
“We had several air pockets that pay cash against a team like the Warriors, especially at home,” conceded Fox. “However, we played much better than in Game 3 and we gave ourselves the opportunity to win. »
On the last action of the match, by making the pass to Harrison Barnes open, Fox also demonstrated all the confidence he places in his teammates. “It’s simple, Draymond came to help, Harrison was alone, I gave him the pass. It’s an open shot, it was just too long. It happens but I would make that pass to him 10 out of 10 times.”
The Kings therefore return to Sacramento with two losses in their suitcases and the series at 2-2. Game 5 at the Golden 1 Center promises to be hot and they know they can once again count on their Fox to lead the way and return to the Chase Center with a chance to finish the job.
Interview in San Francisco.
| De’Aaron Fox | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | BAG | 73 | 28 | 41.2 | 30.7 | 72.3 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 11.6 |
| 2018-19 | BAG | 81 | 31 | 45.8 | 37.1 | 72.7 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 7.3 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 17.3 |
| 2019-20 | BAG | 51 | 32 | 48.0 | 29.2 | 70.5 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 6.8 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 21.1 |
| 2020-21 | BAG | 58 | 35 | 47.7 | 32.2 | 71.9 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 7.2 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 25.2 |
| 2021-22 | BAG | 59 | 35 | 47.3 | 29.7 | 75.0 | 0.4 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 23.2 |
| 2022-23 | BAG | 73 | 33 | 51.2 | 32.4 | 78.0 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.1 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 25.0 |
| Total | 395 | 32 | 47.2 | 32.1 | 73.6 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 6.2 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
