The San Antonio Spurs showcased their potential in the 2025-26 season, prominently featuring De’Aaron Fox in his season debut against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Fox made a significant impact, leading the Spurs to a 126-119 victory with a stellar performance of 24 points, following his recovery from an offseason hamstring injury. He showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 9-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, along with contributing three rebounds and three assists.
In a standout moment, Fox notched 15 of his points in the second quarter, including a stepback 3-pointer that marked his first basket of the season. The return of the All-Star guard is a promising development for a Spurs team eager to build on last season’s challenges.
The Spurs demonstrated depth during the game, with eight players scoring in double digits. Victor Wembanyama had a particularly notable outing, accumulating 18 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, while Stephon Castle contributed 14 points and 14 assists. Their collective efforts were crucial in overcoming a remarkable 41-point performance from Pelicans’ guard Trey Murphy III.
Fox’s return comes at a pivotal time for the Spurs, especially with rookie guard Dylan Harper sidelined for several weeks due to a calf strain. This situation prompts intriguing discussions about how Fox, Castle, and Harper will share ball-handling responsibilities once Harper is back on the court. For now, the Spurs can maintain a stable rotation with Fox and Castle, who appeared to take on the role of floor general while Fox played.
The chemistry between Fox and Wembanyama is a focal point moving forward, especially after the struggles last season when Wembanyama was out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season post-Fox’s arrival at the trade deadline. As the Spurs prepare for their next matchup against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, fans are hopeful for continued progress and development within this promising young roster.