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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 20: De'aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs in action during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Coming into this week, the San Antonio Spurs initially had just one All-Star. Victor Wembanyama was the lone player to earn that honor after an incredible start to the season. He has established himself as one of the best players in the league.
Despite sitting second in the Western Conference standings, Wembanyama was their lone All-Star. Head coach Mitch Johnson wasn’t pleased with that and made sure to let the media know that Wemby better get several MVP votes if that was the case.
The All-Star Game has already had to have a few injury replacements for the game and the rest of the festivities. Now, De’Aaron Fox is a beneficiary of that.
GettySan Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox dribbles the ball. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Spurs Guard De’Aaron Fox Named to All-Star Game
Fox has now been named as an injury replacement for the All-Star game. Since Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for the game, Fox will take his place. Antetokounmpo was playing for the international squad as part of the new All-Star Game format.
However, Fox is American. He will join the American team while Norman Powell will move the World team. Still, this is an honor that Fox deserves. After missing the first eight games of the season with an injury, he has played great basketball.
Fox has the second-best defensive rating of his career this season. This is also the best net rating of his career. His ability to run the offense and score when needed has also been key, as well. He is the second-best player on the Spurs, and the trade to bring him in is looking smarter by the day.
This is the second time that Fox has been named an All-Star. He was also named an All-Star during the 2022-23 season with the Sacramento Kings. This is the second time the Kings have traded away a point guard who went on to be an All-Star with another team. Tyrese Haliburton was also an All-Star for the Indiana Pacers.
GettySan Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox dribbles the ball. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The San Antonio Spurs Could Catch the Thunder
While the Spurs sit second in the standings, they also could still catch the Thunder for the top spot in the West. Heading into the break, they sit just 3.5 games behind Oklahoma City. The Spurs have also proven that they can beat the Thunder, as they have already beaten them three times this season.
Right now, the Spurs have the seventh-best offense in the NBA. Add in the fact that they have the third-best defense, and they are a dangerous team to play. San Antonio has one of the deeper teams in the league, as well. Fox is a big part of that depth at the point guard position.
If the Spurs do make the playoffs, this will be the first time that Wembanyama has played in the playoffs in his young career. He will cause all kinds of problems for other teams.