Young Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has been among the best players thus far in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
That’s why it was disheartening to hear after their Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors about an injury Fox suffered on Sunday.
According to multiple media reports, Fox fractured the tip of his left index finger during the fourth quarter of the game. The injury came with less than five minutes remaining in the final stanza.
Fox was initially listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 in Sacramento with the series tied at two.
In talking to reporters on Tuesday, the reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year said it’s 99% to 100% that he’ll be able to suit up against the defending champs as Sacramento looks to overcome a two-game losing streak and take a 3-2 series lead.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal. But obviously depending on how much it gets hit. The pain will increase. But if it was to stay the exact same way it is now, I’d be fine.”
Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox on Game 5 status
Despite suffering this injury at roughly the 4:33 mark in the fourth quarter, Fox nearly led his Kings from behind for what would’ve been pretty much a series-clinching win. That included hitting a three pointer with 28.1 seconds remaining to pull the Kings to within one.
In the end, Golden State was able to overcome a boneheaded mistake from star guard Stephen Curry to come away with a 126-125 win.
De’Aaron Fox stats (2023 NBA Playoffs): 31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 45% shooting
Even if Fox is able to suit up for Game 5, there is a chance that he will be limited. After all, the injury came to his shooting hand.
Sacramento had indicated that it was an avulsion fracture to the left index finger. Typically, injuries of this ilk will heal within 8-to-12 weeks without surgery being needed. An avulsion fracture occurs when one of the muscles that anchors the finger pulls away a small piece of the bone. Sounds painful.
As for De’Aaron Fox and his status for Game 5, we’ll hear more the closer to tip-off in Sacramento. He’s mired in a dogfight with four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry who is also averaging 31.5 points in the series.
Whoever comes out on top in Game 5 will take a 3-2 series lead. For Sacramento, it is almost a must win. The team doesn’t want to lose its third consecutive game in the series and have to head back to San Francisco’s Chase Center with the defending champs being able to close this one out in front of its boisterous home crown.
Historically, teams leading 3-2 in a best-of-seven NBA Playoff series go on to win said series 86% of the time.
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