Despite leading in every game of the 2026 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs ultimately lost to the New York Knicks in five games.
New York dominated the series, and Spurs star guard De’Aaron Fox is enduring a torrent of criticism for his poor play and mistakes. Now, Knicks fans are taking the trolling of Fox to another level.
New York Fans Print De’Aaron Fox Knicks Jerseys to Troll Spurs Guard
Fox’s worst moment of the NBA Finals came at the end of Game 4 when he had a chance to run out the clock but instead drove to the rim for a layup and got blocked by Knicks forward OG Anunoby. This allowed New York to get the ball back, and Anunoby hit the game-winning tip-in moments later. The Knicks took a commanding 3-1 lead and ultimately closed the series in Game 5.
While this is the blunder that fans will remember, Fox struggled throughout the entire series, averaging 12.8 points, 6.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 turnovers while shooting 34.3% from the field and 25.0% from 3-point range. (For comparison, he averaged 18.6 points on 48.6% from the field and 33.2% from 3-point range during the regular season). Additionally, he tied for the team lead with 14 turnovers. It’s worth noting that Fox was playing through a high-ankle sprain, which may have contributed to his struggles.
Given Fox’s struggles throughout the series, fans and analysts have joked that he was the Knicks’ true Finals MVP. Now, in a serious troll move, some New York fans even printed a Knicks jersey with Fox’s name, prompting a ton of reactions on social media.
Knicks fans are making De’Aaron Fox jerseys 😅 pic.twitter.com/0Qi0zVOPVn
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2026
“Mean and accurate. Knicks don’t win in five if De’Aaron Fox shows up,” wrote sports business reporter Darren Rovell.
“Lmfao diabolical #alwaysknicks,” chortled one user.
Mean and accurate.
Knicks don’t win in five if De’Aaron Fox shows up. pic.twitter.com/IFUcr0rOQI
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 16, 2026
The veteran guard cannot be solely blamed for New York continuously erasing deficits during the series. San Antonio as a team struggled to hold its leads. However, the veteran point guard’s struggles certainly didn’t help the young Spurs.
DraftKings got in on the fun by posting a meme about Fox getting cooked online
De’Aaron Fox pic.twitter.com/kdRZqmFD9N
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 16, 2026
“Never seen anything like this,” observed one user. Another user agreed, adding: “Fox has reached a level of slander I have never seen before.”
“A #hewithus hall of famer,” sneered Kazeem Famuyide, Carmelo Anthony’s podcast co-host.
A #hewithus hall of famer https://t.co/bQIaePaqtJ
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) June 16, 2026
“Somebody on the Knicks gotta wear this to the parade,” added one user, referring to the Knicks’ championship parade that will be held on Thursday in Manhattan.
Somebody on the Knicks gotta wear this to the parade https://t.co/EVA3EP2vBu
— Яy C (@ayehomess) June 16, 2026
The fact that Fox signed a four-year, $229 million maximum contract last August only fueled the hate that he was receiving. Next season, he will earn $51,033,600, making him by far the highest-paid player on the Spurs’ roster.
While most of social media was clowning Fox, some people came to his defense, including former NBA All-Star Michael Redd.
“Two truths at once. I think De’Aaron was underwhelming in the Finals, especially in Game 5. I also think this — and some of the social slander — crosses the line. But again, I’m into celebrating guys who deserve their flowers, not slandering guys, even if they ‘deserve’ real talk. Who am I, though, to tell anyone else what to do. Just sharing my perspective,” Redd wrote to provide an opposing viewpoint.
Two truths at once.
I think De’Aaron was underwhelming in the Finals, especially in Game 5.
I also think this — and some of the social slander — crosses the line.
But again, I’m into celebrating guys who deserve their flowers, not slandering guys, even if they “deserve”… https://t.co/KLhc0iD7FJ
— Michael Redd (@MichaelRedd_) June 16, 2026
One user added that they hope to see a strong bounce-back season from Fox so he can silence his doubters.
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“I need that redemption season quickly bro that man’s PR is in HELL right now,” they wrote.
It’s safe to say that Fox has a bad taste in his mouth after his first NBA Finals appearance, and he will need to work at rehabilitating his on-court reputation next season. While this was a postseason to forget for Fox, he should use it as motivation to come back better than ever next season.
