De’Aaron Fox wasn’t putting up big numbers in San Antonio’s Western Conference Finals clincher, and that’s exactly what makes his upcoming battle with Jalen Brunson more interesting than a simple head-to-head at point guard.
Fox put up 15 points, five assists, and three steals as the Spurs topped Oklahoma City 111-103 in Game 7. Victor Wembanyama finished with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Julian Champagnie dropped six threes on his way to 20 points.
Stephon Castle added 16, Dylan Harper chipped in with 12, and both Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson had 11 each.
Champagnie joined Klay Thompson and Steph Curry as the only players to hit six or more threes in a Conference Finals Game 7.
San Antonio’s blueprint for handling elite point guards
San Antonio managed to hold Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 37.9% shooting and just 26.1% from three, a significant drop from his usual efficiency. Stephon Castle took the lead defensive role, with the Spurs only sending extra help when SGA moved into dangerous areas.
Brunson, though, brings a different kind of challenge. He earned Eastern Conference Finals MVP honours, and much of the Knicks’ playoff run has been built around his ability to control pace without speeding up the game. Unlike SGA, Brunson doesn’t get solved by a single defender across 48 minutes.
Having missed the opening two games of the series, Fox spent Game 7 getting back into rhythm as much as closing out the Thunder. What he brings now is an extra gear on both sides of the floor. He has the quickness to pick up Brunson early, disrupt his timing, and then force him to work defensively in return. Every possession where Brunson has to fight through defensive pressure is one more stretch where New York has to find support from somewhere else.
San Antonio’s depth lets them keep that pressure coming from different angles. Castle added 16 points in Game 7 while handling most of the SGA assignment throughout the series. Harper chipped in 12 off the bench, with Vassell and Johnson each finishing with 11. Fox doesn’t need to do everything himself; there are enough options for San Antonio to keep Brunson busy all night.
Knicks have ways to manage Spurs’ defensive approach
With Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby able to take on the tougher matchups, Brunson can be hidden defensively when needed. Josh Hart also helps by taking on bigger assignments, allowing the Knicks to keep their rebounding in order. And if San Antonio gets too aggressive, Brunson is more than capable of playing off the ball.
The real risk for San Antonio is spreading themselves too thin under pressure. Brunson is effective at exploiting gaps, and Karl-Anthony Towns offers an outlet if help comes too early. Relying solely on ball pressure against a team as organised as New York could backfire quickly.
Fox gives the Spurs a way to apply pressure without sacrificing their defensive shape. He can chase, recover, and attack, while Castle handles possessions. Harper changes pace, and Vassell defends and stretches the floor.
The Game 7 win was built on that group’s balance, making Brunson’s Finals workload heavier than any single matchup issue. If Fox stays aggressive without forcing the game open, Brunson has to create through speed and fresh defenders before even dealing with Wembanyama behind.
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