The Sacramento Kings don’t need to be reminded of how far they’ve fallen since making the playoffs in 2022-23, but they will be when they visit the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at Frost Bank Center.
Fox spent seven-plus seasons in Sacramento after coming out of Kentucky as the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He was sent to the Spurs in February 2025 as part of the three-team trade that brought Zach LaVine to Sacramento.
The Kings (12-45) have fallen on hard times since trading Fox. Mired in a franchise-record 15-game losing streak, they have the worst record in the NBA.
Earlier this week, the Kings announced that LaVine (finger), Domantas Sabonis (knee) and De’Andre Hunter (knee) had undergone season-ending surgery to repair their respective injuries.
The Spurs (39-16) have the second-best record in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have won seven in a row and 12 of their last 15.
The Spurs have emerged as legitimate NBA championship contenders since adding Fox to a group that features Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, Dylan Harper and Harrison Barnes.
Wembanyama is averaging 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. Fox, who recently earned his second NBA All-Star selection, is averaging 19.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.2 steals. Castle (16.6 ppg), Vassell (14.0 ppg), Johnson (13.4 ppg), Champagnie (11.1 ppg), Harper (11.0 ppg) and Barnes (10.5 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Fox had 28 points and 11 assists in a 123-110 victory over the Kings on Nov. 18 in San Antonio. The Spurs will come to Sacramento on March 17 in the final meeting of the season between the two teams.
Kings at Spurs
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Frost Bank Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Spurs -18.5
Over/under: 230.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Dylan Cardwell (ankle); De’Andre Hunter (eye); Zach LaVine (finger); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Spurs: QUESTIONABLE — Harrison Ingram (G League); Stanley Umude (G League). OUT — David Jones Garcia (G League); Mason Plumlee (return to competition reconditioning).O