JB Bickerstaff told the Spurs to show De’Aaron Fox continuous support ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, after Fox’s late-game error in the 105-104 Game 4 loss. With the Spurs set to host on Saturday, Bickerstaff emphasized trust, l
De’Aaron Fox heads into Game 5 with the kind of moment that turns into a headline overnight—and a voice in his corner that wants the Spurs to answer it with something simpler than debate.
Ahead of the NBA Finals matchup against the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff offered specific advice to Fox and San Antonio. The focus: how to move forward after the fourth-quarter play that helped turn Game 4 into heartbreak.
In the 105-104 loss. Fox held a one-point lead at 104-103 when he went for a layup with the 24-second shot clock turned off. The attempt was ultimately blocked, and the Knicks found a way to finish the possession ahead of the buzzer. In the closing sequence. OG Anunoby prevented New York from facing a 3-point deficit. then followed up with an offensive rebound and a put-back shot to push the Knicks ahead.
Bickerstaff’s message to Fox was direct and personal. “We love you, and we need you. We understand what his talents are. and how good he’s been as an All-Star before as a floor leader. as a floor general. ” he said. “So, all we need you to do is be who you are, and who you are is good enough. The outside noise doesn’t matter. The outside noise has no impact on the job that he has to do — what his teammates think of him. what his coaching staff thinks of him. You’re hoping for three more games.”.
The Penguins of the moment—outside criticism, online clips, late-game blame—are loud. But Bickerstaff argued the best response is internal. “How do we get the best out of him?. By showing him love. By showing him support. Obviously. helping him see the things that are going to be in front of him if there [are] adjustments and tactics you need to make. giving him the keys to those. Believe in him. Show him support because he’s earned it. He’s a heck of a player and a heck of a teammate.”.
For Game 5, Fox and the Spurs will host the Knicks.
That correction matters in part because Fox’s late-game decision didn’t exist in isolation—it sparked renewed attention to a comment from someone who knows him from his past.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown coached De’Aaron Fox during his time with the Kings. After watching Fox go for the contested layup over running out the clock in the final seconds of Game 4. Brown’s earlier criticism resurfaced online. The comparison being made was stark: the late-game lapse drawing a parallel to a key moment that helped flip Game 4.
Brown’s criticism centered on how a team protects a lead in those last seconds. “If you’re up three. you’ve got to guard your man at the three-point line. and there should be no closeout opportunity. no closeout opportunity. ” Brown said. “They know that, the only thing that can hurt us is a three. I need to go back and watch the film. but there was no reason for there to be a hard closeout……For sure. 100 percent. we told our guys. we can’t give up a three. Stay connected, stay on the high side…..we close out, and we foul with three seconds to go. That’s tough.”.
Brown’s comments surfaced alongside an additional post noting that Mike Brown was fired the following day after calling out De’Aaron Fox for making a stupid play back in 2024.
Fox, San Antonio, and New York all converge on Saturday now with the same unresolved question hanging over the series: can the Spurs turn one charged late-game sequence into something that strengthens their floor leader rather than isolates him?
JB Bickerstaff believes the answer starts with the people closest to Fox. “We love you and we need you,” he said—one line, aimed at the pressure, and meant to carry into the next three games.
NBA Finals Game 5 Spurs Knicks De'Aaron Fox OG Anunoby JB Bickerstaff Mike Brown Game 4 105-104 NBA news