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Nikola Jokic’s historic Christmas game set NBA records and had Charles Barkely groveling

Nikola Jokic’s historic Christmas game set NBA records and had Charles Barkely groveling

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Nikola Jokic was locked in from the opening tip of the 2025 NBA Christmas day finale between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic ripped a three-pointer on Denver’s first possession en route to an 18-point first quarter with the Nuggets missing three starters with injuries. From there, the 30-year-old big man spent most of his time hitting the glass, getting his teammates involved, and consistently forcing his way to the free throw line to slow down Minnesota’s running attack.

It felt like the Nuggets were on their way to a comfortable victory with a 15-point lead with under six minutes remaining in regulation. That’s when the Timberwolves’ offense roared back to form, tying the game on a nasty Anthony Edwards step-back three from the corner at the end of regulation. Jokic needed to go to work for five more minutes, and he made sure he team wasn’t leaving a Christmas game with coal in the extra session.

The Nuggets beat the Wolves, 142-138, in overtime thanks to a historic performance from Jokic that again makes him the MVP front-runner and asserts his place among the game’s all-time greats. Jokic finished with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, setting multiple NBA records in the process:

The Nuggets were without starters Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, and Christian Braun, but Jokic wouldn’t let them lose. The Wolves ended Denver’s dreams of back-to-back championships in the 2024 playoffs, and this remains one of the best rivalries in the league. Edwards (44 points) and Julius Randle (32 points) were outstanding for Minnesota, but Jokic consistently beat Rudy Gobert inside and delivered his team an incredible win.

There are so many incredible stats from Jokic’s Christmas day masterpiece. Let’s go over a few of them.

ESPN commentator Charles Barkley was in awe of Jokic during the game:

On a day when the Thunder lost to the Spurs for the third time this season, it feels like Jokic passed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA MVP race. Jokic already has three MVP awards, and he would pass Magic Johnson and Larry Bird while tying LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain if he wins his fourth.

Beyond that, this performance is just another reminder that Jokic is an all-time great. Any list of the best big men in NBA history has to include Jokic alongside Shaq, Wilt, Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jokic only has one championship ring so far, but this is the sixth straight season he’s been the best player in the world. It’s already one of the longest runs of dominance ever, and he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Jokic was famously drafted during the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft as ESPN was playing a Taco Bell commercial. Denver gave away Taco Bell shirts ahead of the Christmas game, and Jokic arrived wearing a Taco Bell cardigan:

Jokic is greatness personified. Appreciate an all-time NBA player at his peak while you can.

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Deadspin | Anastasia Potapova upsets former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in Madrid Mar 6, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Anastasia Potapova of Austria in action against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the second round of the women’s singles at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Unseeded Anastasia Potapova of Austria continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, taking down former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czechia 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, to become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal. Potapova, who lost in qualifying last week, will face No. 26 Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals after the Ukrainian defeated No. 13 Linda Noskova of Czechia 7-6 (1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who beat Potapova in the fourth round at Madrid last year, is 10-0 on clay this year. Potapova led 5-3 in the second set and held three match points, but Pliskova rallied to even the match and led 3-1 in the third set before Potapova won five straight games to secure the thrilling victory. When asked if she thought she would be in the semifinals after her qualifying loss, Potapova told reporters, “No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here. “I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.” Potapova finished with 10 aces and saved four of her eight break points, while Pliskova posted three aces but was 0-for-7 on break points. Along the way to the semifinals, Potapova has also defeated French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. As for Potapova’s semifinal opponent, Kostyuk seized control against Noskova in the first-set tiebreaker, winning 7-1, then dominated the second set in less-than-ideal weather conditions to reach the Madrid semifinals for the first time. “Conditions were incredibly difficult for both of us,” Kostyuk said in her on-court interview. “It was very windy, very cold, and I felt like we started to gain some (momentum) only towards the end of the first set. Until then, I think we both weren’t sure where the ball was going sometimes. But I’m happy that I did my strategy today very well.” Kostyuk, who took the second set without dropping a game, is the only player — women’s or men’s — to reach this year’s semifinal without conceding a set. Earlier this month, she captured her first WTA title on clay at the Rouen Open in France. “Today was not that type of day in the morning and I was forcing myself to smile, to enjoy,” said Kostyuk, who saved one of five break points while Noskova saved 17 of 24. “At the end of the day it was a quarterfinal match. No matter how it would turn around, I still think it was a great performance from me these past three weeks. At the end I managed to turn that page and enjoy again.” -Field Level Media –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Anastasia #Potapova #upsets #World #Karolina #Pliskova #MadridMar 6, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Anastasia Potapova of Austria in action against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the second round of the women’s singles at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Unseeded Anastasia Potapova of Austria continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, taking down former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czechia 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, to become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.

Potapova, who lost in qualifying last week, will face No. 26 Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals after the Ukrainian defeated No. 13 Linda Noskova of Czechia 7-6 (1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who beat Potapova in the fourth round at Madrid last year, is 10-0 on clay this year.

Potapova led 5-3 in the second set and held three match points, but Pliskova rallied to even the match and led 3-1 in the third set before Potapova won five straight games to secure the thrilling victory.

When asked if she thought she would be in the semifinals after her qualifying loss, Potapova told reporters, “No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here.

“I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.”

Potapova finished with 10 aces and saved four of her eight break points, while Pliskova posted three aces but was 0-for-7 on break points.


Along the way to the semifinals, Potapova has also defeated French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.

As for Potapova’s semifinal opponent, Kostyuk seized control against Noskova in the first-set tiebreaker, winning 7-1, then dominated the second set in less-than-ideal weather conditions to reach the Madrid semifinals for the first time.

“Conditions were incredibly difficult for both of us,” Kostyuk said in her on-court interview. “It was very windy, very cold, and I felt like we started to gain some (momentum) only towards the end of the first set. Until then, I think we both weren’t sure where the ball was going sometimes. But I’m happy that I did my strategy today very well.”

Kostyuk, who took the second set without dropping a game, is the only player — women’s or men’s — to reach this year’s semifinal without conceding a set. Earlier this month, she captured her first WTA title on clay at the Rouen Open in France.

“Today was not that type of day in the morning and I was forcing myself to smile, to enjoy,” said Kostyuk, who saved one of five break points while Noskova saved 17 of 24. “At the end of the day it was a quarterfinal match. No matter how it would turn around, I still think it was a great performance from me these past three weeks. At the end I managed to turn that page and enjoy again.”

-Field Level Media

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Anastasia #Potapova #upsets #World #Karolina #Pliskova #Madrid">Deadspin | Anastasia Potapova upsets former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in Madrid Mar 6, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Anastasia Potapova of Austria in action against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the second round of the women’s singles at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Unseeded Anastasia Potapova of Austria continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, taking down former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czechia 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, to become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal. Potapova, who lost in qualifying last week, will face No. 26 Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals after the Ukrainian defeated No. 13 Linda Noskova of Czechia 7-6 (1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who beat Potapova in the fourth round at Madrid last year, is 10-0 on clay this year. Potapova led 5-3 in the second set and held three match points, but Pliskova rallied to even the match and led 3-1 in the third set before Potapova won five straight games to secure the thrilling victory. When asked if she thought she would be in the semifinals after her qualifying loss, Potapova told reporters, “No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here. “I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.” Potapova finished with 10 aces and saved four of her eight break points, while Pliskova posted three aces but was 0-for-7 on break points. Along the way to the semifinals, Potapova has also defeated French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. As for Potapova’s semifinal opponent, Kostyuk seized control against Noskova in the first-set tiebreaker, winning 7-1, then dominated the second set in less-than-ideal weather conditions to reach the Madrid semifinals for the first time. “Conditions were incredibly difficult for both of us,” Kostyuk said in her on-court interview. “It was very windy, very cold, and I felt like we started to gain some (momentum) only towards the end of the first set. Until then, I think we both weren’t sure where the ball was going sometimes. But I’m happy that I did my strategy today very well.” Kostyuk, who took the second set without dropping a game, is the only player — women’s or men’s — to reach this year’s semifinal without conceding a set. Earlier this month, she captured her first WTA title on clay at the Rouen Open in France. “Today was not that type of day in the morning and I was forcing myself to smile, to enjoy,” said Kostyuk, who saved one of five break points while Noskova saved 17 of 24. “At the end of the day it was a quarterfinal match. No matter how it would turn around, I still think it was a great performance from me these past three weeks. At the end I managed to turn that page and enjoy again.” -Field Level Media –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Anastasia #Potapova #upsets #World #Karolina #Pliskova #Madrid

Deadspin | Blue Jays rout Red Sox to win three-game set Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) pitches to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Ernie Clement hit a two-run homer Wednesday afternoon and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Boston Red Sox 8-1 in the rubber match of a three-game series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three singles and a walk for the Blue Jays, who completed a 4-2 homestand. Brandon Valenzuela contributed two hits with a homer and a walk. Willson Contreras had two hits, including a homer for Boston. Wilyer Abreu added two hits and a walk. Marcelo Mayer singled as a pinch hitter in the seventh to extend his hit streak to a career-best eight games. Contreras homered to left on Eric Lauer’s 2-2 fastball with one out in the first. Toronto scored three in the third against struggling Brayan Bello (1-4). Valenzuela, Jesus Sanchez and Guerrero singled to load the bases. Kazuma Okamoto stroked a two-run single to left. A wild pitch put runners at second and third before Daulton Varsho walked. Yohendrick Pinango hit a single to left for his first major league RBI as Guerrero scored but Okamoto was out at home. Bello walked Valenzuela with two out in the fourth. Greg Weissert replaced Bello and Clement snapped an 0-for-11 drought with a homer to left on an 0-2 fastball. Bello allowed four runs, six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Boston loaded the bases on three singles with one out in the fifth. Braydon Fisher (2-0) replaced Lauer and Contreras lined into an inning-ending double play. Lauer allowed one run, five hits while walking one with one strikeout and several hard-hit outs. Weissert allowed Guerrero’s leadoff single in the home fifth. Jovani Moran took over with one out and hit Varsho with a pitch. George Springer, activated from the injured list Wednesday, hit a pinch-hit, RBI single to center on the first pitch. Myles Straw hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-1. Contreras and Abreu singled against Joe Mantiply to open the eighth. Spencer Miles entered and walked Trevor Story to load the bases with one out before ending the inning with a strikeout and a groundout. Valenzuela homered on a 3-2 hanging slider from Garrett Whitlock in the Toronto eighth. Toronto designated Eloy Jimenez for assignment to make room for Springer. Boston put left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation) on the IL amd utility player Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #rout #Red #Sox #win #threegame #setApr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) pitches to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Ernie Clement hit a two-run homer Wednesday afternoon and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Boston Red Sox 8-1 in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three singles and a walk for the Blue Jays, who completed a 4-2 homestand. Brandon Valenzuela contributed two hits with a homer and a walk.

Willson Contreras had two hits, including a homer for Boston. Wilyer Abreu added two hits and a walk. Marcelo Mayer singled as a pinch hitter in the seventh to extend his hit streak to a career-best eight games.

Contreras homered to left on Eric Lauer’s 2-2 fastball with one out in the first.

Toronto scored three in the third against struggling Brayan Bello (1-4). Valenzuela, Jesus Sanchez and Guerrero singled to load the bases. Kazuma Okamoto stroked a two-run single to left. A wild pitch put runners at second and third before Daulton Varsho walked. Yohendrick Pinango hit a single to left for his first major league RBI as Guerrero scored but Okamoto was out at home.

Bello walked Valenzuela with two out in the fourth. Greg Weissert replaced Bello and Clement snapped an 0-for-11 drought with a homer to left on an 0-2 fastball.

Bello allowed four runs, six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.


Boston loaded the bases on three singles with one out in the fifth. Braydon Fisher (2-0) replaced Lauer and Contreras lined into an inning-ending double play.

Lauer allowed one run, five hits while walking one with one strikeout and several hard-hit outs.

Weissert allowed Guerrero’s leadoff single in the home fifth. Jovani Moran took over with one out and hit Varsho with a pitch. George Springer, activated from the injured list Wednesday, hit a pinch-hit, RBI single to center on the first pitch. Myles Straw hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-1.

Contreras and Abreu singled against Joe Mantiply to open the eighth. Spencer Miles entered and walked Trevor Story to load the bases with one out before ending the inning with a strikeout and a groundout.

Valenzuela homered on a 3-2 hanging slider from Garrett Whitlock in the Toronto eighth.

Toronto designated Eloy Jimenez for assignment to make room for Springer.

Boston put left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation) on the IL amd utility player Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jays #rout #Red #Sox #win #threegame #set">Deadspin | Blue Jays rout Red Sox to win three-game set Apr 29, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer (56) pitches to the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Ernie Clement hit a two-run homer Wednesday afternoon and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Boston Red Sox 8-1 in the rubber match of a three-game series. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three singles and a walk for the Blue Jays, who completed a 4-2 homestand. Brandon Valenzuela contributed two hits with a homer and a walk. Willson Contreras had two hits, including a homer for Boston. Wilyer Abreu added two hits and a walk. Marcelo Mayer singled as a pinch hitter in the seventh to extend his hit streak to a career-best eight games. Contreras homered to left on Eric Lauer’s 2-2 fastball with one out in the first. Toronto scored three in the third against struggling Brayan Bello (1-4). Valenzuela, Jesus Sanchez and Guerrero singled to load the bases. Kazuma Okamoto stroked a two-run single to left. A wild pitch put runners at second and third before Daulton Varsho walked. Yohendrick Pinango hit a single to left for his first major league RBI as Guerrero scored but Okamoto was out at home. Bello walked Valenzuela with two out in the fourth. Greg Weissert replaced Bello and Clement snapped an 0-for-11 drought with a homer to left on an 0-2 fastball. Bello allowed four runs, six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Boston loaded the bases on three singles with one out in the fifth. Braydon Fisher (2-0) replaced Lauer and Contreras lined into an inning-ending double play. Lauer allowed one run, five hits while walking one with one strikeout and several hard-hit outs. Weissert allowed Guerrero’s leadoff single in the home fifth. Jovani Moran took over with one out and hit Varsho with a pitch. George Springer, activated from the injured list Wednesday, hit a pinch-hit, RBI single to center on the first pitch. Myles Straw hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 7-1. Contreras and Abreu singled against Joe Mantiply to open the eighth. Spencer Miles entered and walked Trevor Story to load the bases with one out before ending the inning with a strikeout and a groundout. Valenzuela homered on a 3-2 hanging slider from Garrett Whitlock in the Toronto eighth. Toronto designated Eloy Jimenez for assignment to make room for Springer. Boston put left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation) on the IL amd utility player Nate Eaton was recalled from Triple-A Worcester. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #rout #Red #Sox #win #threegame #set

The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.

Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.

All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.

I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com">De’Aaron Fox Is the X-Factor to San Antonio Spurs Playoff Success | Deadspin.com The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch. #DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com

the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com">De’Aaron Fox Is the X-Factor to San Antonio Spurs Playoff Success | Deadspin.com

The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.

Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.

All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.

I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com

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