Kings’ De’Aaron Fox gets ball stolen by his own shoe in one of the most implausible turnovers you’ll ever see

There’s an previous cliché in sports activities that “each evening you see one thing you have by no means seen earlier than.” Technically, that is true, since you’ve by no means seen these precise gamers do these precise issues at that precise time, however let’s be sincere — it is uncommon that we see one thing genuinely distinctive.

So when an NBA participant will get the ball stolen from him by his personal shoe, you are inclined to take discover.

Because the Sacramento Kings tried to cling to a dwindling lead within the closing minute of their opening evening matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, insanity ensued. Along with his staff up by 4 factors, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox dribbled the clock down a bit earlier than making his transfer towards the basket with 35 seconds remaining. As he modified instructions, nonetheless, Fox’s shoe got here flying off and triggered him to stumble, resulting in a Blazers quick break.

You do not see a participant shedding his shoe in the midst of the play each evening, but it surely’s actually nothing to inform your grandkids about. Upon additional inspection, nonetheless, you may see that the turnover was truly attributable to Fox dribbling the ball instantly off of his personal indifferent shoe, which was careening throughout the court docket with reckless abandon.

Now that, girls and gents, is the stuff of legend. CJ McCollum technically acquired the steal, however all credit score rightfully belongs to Fox’s dimension 12.5 fluorescent orange Nike.

After the sport, Fox stated it was his first time sporting Kobe Bryant’s signature sneakers shortly.

“He was making an attempt to get us,” Fox stated, via Sean Cunningham of ABC10 Sacramento. “(The shoe) flew off after which actually the very subsequent dribble (the ball) bounced off the shoe.”

Not solely was it an implausible confluence of occasions, but it surely additionally got here at an extremely essential time. Following the turnover, Blazers ahead Robert Covington ended up with a clear 3-point look in transition that might have minimize the result in a single level. He missed, however Norman Powell was fouled after a Portland offensive rebound, making one among two free throws.

Portland finally had possession down by three factors with eight seconds left, when Kings coach Luke Walton made the choice to not foul, and as an alternative let Damian Lillard take a possible game-tying 3-pointer that in all probability gave many former playoff opponents PTSD. Lillard’s shot went out and in, and the Kings escaped with a 124-121 win, however Walton’s choice was virtually as baffling as Fox getting the ball stolen by his personal shoe.

When all was stated and finished, Fox completed with 27 factors, eight assists, 5 rebounds and one of the crucial distinctive moments you may ever see on a basketball court docket.