Only airport security will know exactly what De’Aaron Fox packed on the flight from Sactown to San Antonio, but if March 1, 2025’s thriller was of any indication, the trademark “clutch gene” was certainly among the many contents. In that ever-familiar position at midcourt, eyeballing a ticking, yet nonthreatening game clock, Fox — encouraged to think ahead with the Memphis Grizzlies hoping to double — turbos into a left-side drive with Jaylen Wells closely attached. Offering a new reminder of whose house the NBA’s first-ever Clutch Player of the Year trophy resides in, Fox goes from 100-to-0, break-pumping his way into a crowd-silencing pull-up to call game. Fox’s teammates, already bunny-hopping along the sidelines before the bucket sank through the mesh, were unquestionably pleased, as the San Antonio Spurs stayed afloat in the Play-In race with a much-needed win. Poised to provide more memorable moments throughout his silver-and-black tenure, Fox closed this particular night with 20 points, three rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block, and a 3-pointer. · Mar 2, 2025