De’Aaron Fox, once a pivotal figure and fan favorite for the Sacramento Kings, returned to Golden 1 Center on Friday night, marking his first game against his former team since being traded to the San Antonio Spurs the previous month as part of a three-team deal. The Kings secured a 127-109 victory over the Spurs, with Fox, now an opponent, contributing 16 points from 6-of-17 shooting.
Reflecting on his return, Fox described the experience as both surreal and exciting. “It was great being back for the first time,” he shared post-game, noting the strangeness of being on the visitor’s side. “I’ve never been in this visiting locker room. I didn’t know what the showers looked like. I didn’t know anything about what the visiting side looked like. It was definitely fun. I’m glad that the first one is over with, because I feel like it probably won’t be as anticipated anymore. But next time hoping for a better game from us.”
Fox’s departure from Sacramento was marked by challenges, including contract disagreements, frustrations over coaching changes, and ultimately his trade to the Spurs, a move that brought Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls to the Kings. While he chose not to dwell on the specifics of his departure, Fox expressed enthusiasm about playing in front of Sacramento fans again.
Pre-game saw Fox mingling with former teammates and fans, signing autographs and taking photos. The mix of cheers and boos from the crowd as he was introduced signaled his complex legacy with the team. Kings interim coach Doug Christie acknowledged this, noting the dual emotions of love and respect juxtaposed with the pain of separation. “It is part of the process that when you are someplace, especially like he was here for a second, there’s a lot of love and respect that goes into that,” Christie remarked.
Despite the mixed reception, a highlight-reel tribute to Fox during a first-quarter break elicited a standing ovation, to which Fox reciprocated with a grateful wave. “I was here for so long, almost a decade. I really do appreciate it,” Fox commented.
Fox explained that sentimental feelings did not impact his gameplay, attributing recent shooting struggles to a dislocated left pinky finger, which might necessitate surgery when the team visits Los Angeles later in the month. His tenure in Sacramento, spanning over seven seasons, was marked by significant achievements, including breaking the Kings’ 16-year playoff drought in 2023, earning him an All-Star nod, and receiving the Clutch Player of the Year award.
Recalling the intense energy of the 2023 playoff series against Golden State, Fox highlighted Game 1 as a pinnacle moment. Scoring 38 points in a victorious effort that night, he relished the opportunity to reconnect Sacramento fans with postseason excitement, even though the Kings lost the series in seven games. “That’s easily the best moment I had had when I was here,” Fox stated, reflecting on the importance of delivering a cherished memory for the fans.
During his Sacramento stint, Fox boasted an average of 21.5 points per game and ranked among the franchise’s leaders in points, assists, and steals since the team moved to California. Adapting to life post-trade has involved personal adjustments, from relocating to forming new rapport with Spurs teammates and coaches.
Fox has integrated well with San Antonio, entering Friday’s game averaging 19.3 points and 6.6 assists per game. His leadership has fostered camaraderie, including with teammate Victor Wembanyama, who joined the team trip despite sitting out with a shoulder injury. “What he’s going through is definitely tough,” Fox noted regarding Wembanyama’s health. “For us, we just want him to be healthy. We want him to be healthy enough to be able to get on a plane and to be able to support us as a team. That’s what he wants to do anyway. For us, we want him to be as healthy as possible.”