In his first return to Sacramento in just over a month, San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox was met with mixed emotions by a fan base he spent over seven seasons with. Some fans booed and others filled the Golden 1 Center with cheers, but the differing views didn’t bother the Kings.
After a slow start in the first quarter, Sacramento scored 75 points over two quarters, set up by a 36-point second quarter, resulting in a 127-109 win to spoil Fox’s first game back to Sacramento since being traded to San Antonio earlier this season.
Fox finished with just 16 points and eight assists. The Kings honored the former Kentucky guard with a video tribute before the game. Fans booed Fox at the start of the video, but the jeers were followed by cheers at the video’s conclusion. That was a theme throughout the night.
Mix of cheers and boos for De’Aaron Fox during lineup intros in Sacramento tonight pic.twitter.com/LvFHanO4A7
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 8, 2025
Fox gestured toward the crowd with gratitude, but the Kings took that energy and used it for their own good.
After the Spurs took a six-point lead in the opening frame, Sacramento found its stride in the second period. The Kings outscored San Antonio 36-16 in that quarter to grab a 56-42 lead at halftime; Zach LaVine and Jonas Valančiūnas scored a combined 28 points in the half. LaVine, who was traded to Sacramento in the three-team deal, finished with a game-high 36 points. DeMar DeRozan added 22 points, Keegan Murray had 19 points and nine rebounds, and Valančiūnas had a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double with six assists.
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with a team-best 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Harrison Barnes finished with 12 points, and Keldon Johnson had 11.
How did Fox perform?
Not well. He hit a baseline 16-footer on the Spurs’ first possession, which was a nice moment for him, but not much else went in. Fox finished 6-of-17 shooting and missed all six of his 3s. Victor Wembanyama was in attendance supporting Fox, but the Spurs have been outmanned since they announced Wembanyama was out for the season to deal with a blood clot.
The Spurs have lost six of their last eight games, and Fox is on track to miss the playoffs for the seventh time in his eight NBA seasons. The Kings, 33-29 and in ninth place in the Western Conference, still have a shot at the playoffs. — Anthony Slater, NBA writer
What was the vibe in the arena?
The mood was relatively festive because of the Kings’ performance and not too thorny. I covered Kevin Durant’s return to Oklahoma City in 2017. That was a venomous, emotional reunion — the cupcake game. This wasn’t anything near that.
Fox was booed by a sizable portion of the crowd at various points, but there were also appreciative moments, a few loving signs and plenty of Fox jerseys peppered throughout the arena. His wife and child sat in their normal (before the trade) courtside seats. Fox exchanged pleasantries with former teammates and staffers. — Slater
Required reading
(Photo of De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
