If you’ve ever watched De’Aaron Fox live, you know the feeling. He gets that burst of speed in the open court, the defenders look like they’re running in sand, and you lean forward in your seat expecting a rim-rocking finish. Most of the time, though? He just glides in for a finger-roll layup or a crafty floater. It’s kinda wild when you think about it. For a guy with a 40-plus inch vertical and the fastest end-to-end speed in the league, De'Aaron Fox dunks per game numbers are surprisingly low.
Honestly, he’s one of the most explosive athletes in NBA history who treats dunking like a rare luxury rather than a primary weapon.
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The Reality of De’Aaron Fox Dunks Per Game
Let’s look at the cold hard numbers. If you’re checking the box scores for 2025 and 2026, you won't see a "dunk" column, but the play-by-play data tells a specific story. Throughout his career, Fox has averaged roughly 0.2 to 0.4 dunks per game.
To put that in perspective:
- In a typical 82-game season, he usually finishes with somewhere between 15 and 30 dunks total.
- During his high-flying 2018-19 sophomore season, he recorded 24 dunks.
- By the time he led the Kings to the playoffs in 2023, that number actually dipped as his midrange game expanded.
Basically, you’re looking at one De’Aaron Fox dunk every four or five games. He isn't Ja Morant or Anthony Edwards, looking to put someone on a poster every single night. Fox is much more "calculated" with his energy. He uses that elite leaping ability to hang in the air and adjust for contact layups rather than trying to power through a 7-foot rim protector.
Why Doesn't the "Swipa" Dunk More?
It isn't because he can't. We’ve seen him put Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blender and finish with a hammer. The reason De'Aaron Fox dunks per game stay in the basement is mostly about career longevity and efficiency.
Dunking is hard on the tires. For a point guard who relies on a "twitch" style of play, landing after a contested dunk puts a ton of stress on the knees and ankles. Since his move to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024-25 season, we’ve seen him lean even more into the "Point God" archetype under Gregg Popovich. In San Antonio, the focus is on high-percentage looks and preserving that lightning speed for the fourth quarter.
The Evolution of the Floater
Fox has one of the deadliest floaters in the game. When he penetrates the paint, he usually sees a help defender rotating over. Instead of challenging that big man at the apex—which is a high-risk, high-reward play—he stops on a dime or uses a "pro-hop" to flip the ball in from 5 feet out. It’s less highlight-reel friendly, but it’s why he’s a perennial All-Star.
Speed vs. Verticality
There’s a concept in basketball called "functional athleticism." Fox is so fast that he often gets to the rim before he even has time to load up for a massive jump. He’s already past his man and finishing before the defense can even jump. When you’re that much faster than everyone else, you don't need to jump over them; you just go around them.
Comparing Fox to Other Elite Guards
If you compare the De'Aaron Fox dunks per game to his peers, the gap is pretty noticeable.
Russell Westbrook, in his prime, was averaging nearly a dunk per game. Even shorter guards like Eric Bledsoe used to rattle the rim more frequently. But if you look at players like Kyrie Irving or Stephen Curry, Fox fits more into that "touch" category. He’s an elite finisher at the rim—often shooting over 65% in the restricted area—but he does it with glass and English rather than brute force.
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- Ja Morant: Roughly 0.8 to 1.1 dunks per game.
- De'Aaron Fox: Roughly 0.3 dunks per game.
- Damian Lillard: Roughly 0.1 dunks per game.
Fox sits in that middle ground. He’s athletic enough to be a dunker, but his skill set has evolved past it.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Team or Betting
If you’re tracking Fox for daily fantasy or "dunk" props (which some niche books offer), don't bet the over. You’re betting on a rare event. His value comes from his 20+ points, 6+ assists, and his ability to rack up steals. Since 2024, his 3-point shooting has also become a much bigger part of his profile, further pulling him away from the "rim runner" role.
Key Insights for Fans
- Watch the transition: Most of his dunks happen on breakaway steals. If the Spurs (or Kings, if you’re looking at historical tape) are playing a high-turnover team, your odds of seeing a Fox dunk go up significantly.
- Health matters: When Fox is dealing with minor lower-body dings, the dunks disappear entirely. He’ll play through a sore ankle, but he won't be testing it on the rim.
- The "Clutch" Factor: Fox is a monster in the fourth quarter. Ironically, he’s more likely to take a 15-foot pull-up jumper to win a game than to drive for a dunk.
Actionable Takeaways
If you want to track De'Aaron Fox dunks per game more closely, your best bet is to use NBA Savant or the "Hustle Stats" section on NBA.com. They track "Restricted Area" makes, which will give you a better idea of how often he's attacking the heart of the defense.
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Keep an eye on his game logs against teams with poor transition defense. Teams like the Jazz or the Rockets often give up the kind of open-court space that allows Fox to actually "show off" the bounce. Just don't expect him to change his game overnight. He’s figured out that being a "layup artist" keeps him on the floor for 35 minutes a night, and at age 28, that’s exactly where he needs to be.
To see the most updated stats for the current 2025-26 season, check the official NBA player tracking data which categorizes shots by "less than 5ft" and specifically identifies dunk attempts versus layups.