De'Aaron Fox

As north of 60 million households settled their eyes on the high-profile boxing clash happening down South, De’Aaron Fox was busy too, on the West coast, connecting on every offensive combination known to imagination against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Comparatively quick in both his blow-by ability and matching scoreboard production, the Sacramento Kings’ otherworldly point guard commanded awe in becoming NBA history’s first-ever to produce a 105-point, 15-assist tally over a two-game span. Included in such a masterpiece was some of everything: the long-respected around-the-rim craftiness and creativity — which, to Fox’s acknowledgement, was elevated in frequency at his assistant coach’s request — and breathtaking pull-ups, a now-fully-developed addition to his All-Star skillset. The crunchtime gene, of course, remained in full effect as well, as the 2022-23 Clutch Player of the Year’s 20-point final period helped Sacramento erase a once-imposing 20-point deficit. Through a 49-point outing just one night’s rest later, the NBA Cup’s arrival unofficially became “De’Aaron Fox Week.” By November 15, 2024’s end, Fox, even in defeat, concluded with 60 points, breaking the Kings’ 64-year franchise single-game scoring record, alongside three rebounds, seven assists, and elite efficiency from the field (22-of-35), from deep (6-of-10), and from the free throw line (10-of-11).