Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox has sustained a fractured index finger on his left hand, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports that Fox is expected to officially be listed as doubtful for Tuesday’s Game 5 against Golden State (Twitter link).
The injury is believed to have occurred in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Game 4, Charania adds (via Twitter). Anthony Slater of The Athletic provides a video (Twitter link) of the play, where Fox’s finger appears to be unintentionally clipped by Kevon Looney when Fox casually shot a layup after a foul had already been called on Jordan Poole.
Although Fox will be listed as doubtful, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN hears the Kings are hopeful their All-Star guard will be able to play through the injury Tuesday (Twitter link). Fox apparently broke the tip of his finger and will need to wear a protective covering if he suits up, according to Wojnarowski.
The Kings finally snapped their record-long playoff streak and got off to a 2-0 start against the defending champions, only for the Warriors to respond with two straight wins at home to even the series at two games apiece. Fox was Sacramento’s leading scorer during the regular season and is averaging 31.5 points, 6 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.5 steals on .447/.342/.700 shooting in his first four playoff games (38.5 MPG).
Unfortunately, Fox is far from the first player to be injured this postseason. He joins Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyler Herro, Ja Morant, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid and Victor Oladipo, among others, as players who have suffered injuries of varying severity.
If the 25-year-old is unable to suit up for the pivotal Game 5, fellow guards Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk are candidates for more playing time. Reserve guard Terence Davis could see some action as well after playing just 13 combined minutes in his two appearances in the series.
Adam Silver, just let the Warriors play the Lakers already and be done with it. It’s clear at this point that it’s what the powers that be wanted this whole time. Smfh…
Yep. Makes perfect sense. The league conspired to break Fox’s finger. Well done.
All jokes, but the writing is on the wall. It will likely be a Warriors vs. Celtics finals rematch the way things are shaping up, and I’ve watched every game so far.
@cresstheory2016 (if Fox misses games) very solid take, I think it might be Giannis vs Steph but it could so easily be a repeat.
True, but I have no faith in Budenholzer. He’s TERRIBLE at making adjustments. I think that the Celtics will game plan for Giannis (if he isn’t hurt by the ECF) and beat them. I would LOVE to see Nick Nurse coach the Bucks.
@cresstheory2016 battle of the head coaches who are the most bailed-out by their biggest superstar? Kerr is pretty miserable at adjustments too, he relies entirely on his support staff, he’s pretty clueless on his own. We gotta see Steph and Giannis try and shine out through this potential debacle haha
He did coach them to a ‘Chip after being down 0-2…
He did drain that 26footer no problem after the injury. Guy on knbr/the game .. I forget which one actually said this. He’s a good dude but this take was Yeesh he said that since fox is clutch sports now that this whole thing was put out by clutch so that if De’Aaron has a out if things go either way. He’s a hero / new superstar who doesn’t brandish weapons, or he broke his hand and it wasn’t meant to be… bad take
I guess we’re just forgetting about the Nuggets?
Correct, the league broke his finger and also Ja Morant plays 82 a year and definitely isnt physically and mentally made of glass nope not at all.
lol jk
Is this one of the weakest fingers ever in the human being history?
Nothing was happening! His finger was hurt by the wind.
Fox was playing in a basketball game.
Yeah doesn’t take much to break a finger sometimes.
Or maybe the NBA had an undercover agent in the crowd shooting impeccably directed, intense sound waves at Fox’s finger.
Silver doesn’t want the dynasty and has been doing all he can to split it up by redoing the luxury tax. Fox will play and how it didn’t effect him in game 4 he will be OK.
I love haters LOL keep crying
He’ll tape it up and play. If he plays well he’s a hero in cowtown and if he plays poorly he has an excuse. It’s a no lose situation for him.
As a Kings fan, this is the worst. Of course! We’re not allowed to have nice things!
Even without Fox, the Kings will still have a chance in the 2 home games if Huerter and Sabonis stop playing like stiffs and Murray shoots like he did in game 4.
Will there be a game seven if the Warriors win Wednesday
“unintentionally clipped” #dirtydynasty
Sounds like somebody bet big on the kings and now triggered. I will bet you Fox plays in game 5. Wanna take that bet?
I don’t make bets with people who use the word triggered, like it’s some sort of mic drop
@rxbrgr….tough talk from behind a keyboard.
Get a life man. Truly.
If you can’t take a joke nor an L then that’s a You problem. “Tough talk”, “You wanna bet”… hahahaha who’s the tough talkers lmaoooo
Fox will be playing in game 5. Funny how his injury went from doubtful to questionable in a few hours.
This kid is tough and it’s actually not that bad an injury. Fingertip. Not the best but not the worst. A little tape and he’ll be good to go. They all go through finger stuff and get whacked on shots all the time.
I think Fox will hardly notice once the adrenaline is going. He’ll play through this no problem. The only issue is how much tape is necessary, the more there is the more it’ll effect is shot. The less like maybe a little sleeve and he’ll shoot just fine. Maybe make an adjustment and stop shooting threes and let Monk and the other guys fire away. Fox can still go the hole and make layups or a little shots around the hoop no problem.
These officials just want the Warriors and Lakers to play agaisnt eachother. It’s pretty obvious
Bad luck for the Kings and Fox there…
They had a chance, but without Fox they have no chance…