De’Aaron Fox Reveals When Spurs Began Believing NBA Finals Run Was Possible

The San Antonio Spurs’ return to the NBA Finals has been one of the league’s most compelling stories this season. A franchise that spent years rebuilding has suddenly found itself back among basketball’s elite, reaching the championship stage for the first time since 2014.

Their latest accomplishment came Saturday night when they defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. The victory completed a dramatic seven-game series and secured the Spurs’ place in a highly anticipated showdown against the New York Knicks.

For veteran guard De’Aaron Fox, the achievement represents the culmination of months of growth and belief. Acquired by San Antonio during the season, Fox arrived convinced the Spurs were building something special. Still, even he admitted that reaching the NBA Finals in his first full season with the organization exceeded his initial expectations.

Looking back after the victory, Fox pinpointed the moment when he truly began to believe a championship run was possible. As the team continued to improve throughout the regular season, confidence steadily grew inside the locker room, eventually transforming from optimism into genuine belief.

1. Confidence Builds Throughout the Season

When Fox joined the Spurs, he immediately recognized the talent assembled on the roster. The combination of emerging stars, experienced veterans, and strong coaching gave San Antonio a foundation capable of competing with the Western Conference’s best teams. However, championship aspirations are rarely established overnight. The Spurs spent much of the season developing chemistry, refining their identity, and learning how to win consistently against elite opponents. Each month brought noticeable improvement, helping the team gain confidence in its potential. According to Fox, the turning point came around the All-Star break. By that stage of the season, San Antonio had established itself as a legitimate contender and was consistently competing at a high level. The veteran guard began to see a path that could eventually lead to the Finals. That internal belief became increasingly important as the season progressed. Teams often face adversity during long campaigns, and the Spurs were no exception. Yet the confidence they built during the regular season helped prepare them for the challenges they would encounter during the playoffs.

2. Overcoming the Defending Champions

San Antonio’s playoff journey reached its most difficult stage in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City. The Thunder entered the series as one of the league’s most dominant teams and carried the experience of defending a conference championship. The series proved to be a battle from the opening tip. San Antonio set the tone early by winning Game 1 in double overtime behind a historic performance from Victor Wembanyama, who recorded 41 points and 24 rebounds. That victory demonstrated the Spurs’ ability to compete with the conference’s top team. Oklahoma City responded throughout the series, eventually building a 3-2 advantage and placing San Antonio on the brink of elimination. Rather than folding under pressure, the Spurs delivered one of their most impressive stretches of the season, winning consecutive games to complete the comeback. Game 7 showcased the depth and balance that defined San Antonio’s success. Wembanyama led the team with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Julian Champagnie added 20 points. Fox contributed 15 points, five assists, and three steals, helping the Spurs maintain control in key moments. Seven players scored in double figures as San Antonio’s collective effort overwhelmed the Thunder.

3. Wembanyama Leads Spurs Into New Era

While the Spurs have benefited from contributions across the roster, no player has had a greater impact on the franchise’s rise than Victor Wembanyama. The young superstar continued his remarkable postseason by earning Western Conference Finals MVP honors. Throughout the series against Oklahoma City, Wembanyama averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks while shooting efficiently from the field. His combination of scoring, defense, and versatility consistently created matchup problems and established him as the centerpiece of San Antonio’s championship aspirations. What makes the accomplishment even more impressive is how early it has arrived in his career. In only his third NBA season and first playoff appearance, Wembanyama has already guided the Spurs to the Finals. His rapid development has accelerated the franchise’s return to contention and altered the balance of power in the Western Conference. The challenge now shifts to the New York Knicks, who enter the Finals riding significant momentum of their own. The matchup carries additional intrigue because Knicks coach Mike Brown previously coached Fox in Sacramento. For Fox and the Spurs, however, the focus remains on completing a journey that began with growing confidence months ago and now stands just four wins away from a championship.