Former All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox has yet to play for the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Fox has been nursing a high ankle sprain, which started in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But a few hours before Game 3, Fox showed positive signs of a return, putting shots up in practice ahead of another clash against the OKC Thunder later in the night.
Fox, who noticeably has little lift when attempting shots in the video, is labeled as a game-time decision for the third consecutive game in Game 3.
A high ankle sprain typically heals in three to eight weeks, according to BASS Medical Group. Fox remains more than a week away from that timeline.
Fox has been the Spurs’ starting point guard, putting up 18.6 points, and 6.2 assists per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, Fox remained steady with averages of 18.8 points and 5.8 assists per game so far.
Fox’s return would be a massive boost for the Spurs as his rookie backup, Dylan Harper, injured his adductor in Game 2, preventing him from playing the final stretch of the game.
Just like Fox, Harper’s availability is a game-time decision for the Spurs.
Fox playing in Game 3 could help provide solutions to the Spurs’ turnover problems over the past two games.
The Spurs turned the ball over 21 times in each of the two games. Stephon Castle, the team’s starting shooting guard who became the de facto point guard at times, has tallied 20 turnovers combined in both games.
Fox has averaged 2.0 turnovers in 11 playoff games so far. Against the Thunder’s relentless defensive scheme, Fox’s ability to overcome pressure would be tested if he plays in Game 3.
Spurs’ Head Coach Mitch Johnson Gives Comments on De’Aaron Fox’s Recovery
GettySan Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox is soldiering through his injury.
According to Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, De’Aaron Fox has been soldiering through the process as the Spurs try to live in the series long enough for his comeback.
“He’s just trying to play every day,” Johnson said following the Spurs’ Game 2 loss. “It’s a tough injury that he wouldn’t be playing with in the regular season.”
“He’s trying to tough it out, and he did that in Minnesota. Then he had an awkward landing and re-aggravated it.”
If Fox and Harper did not play in Game 3, the Spurs would have to rely more on Jordan McLaughlin, their third-string point guard, who had six points in seven minutes in Game 2.
Playing McLaughlin, however, would force the Spurs to deal with the Thunder guards hunting him on defense, as he is relatively shorter than OKC’s stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell.
Spurs Must Dig Deep To Fill Up Key Players’ Absences
GettyThe Spurs should dig deep amid players’ injuries.
The Spurs are expected to dig deep into their bench as they look to fill up the potential absences of Fox and Harper in Game 3.
Some of the teams’ bench options are Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, Carter Bryant, Harrison Barnes, and Luke Kornet, all of whom played significant minutes in Game 2.
Game 3’s tip-off will be at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, May 22.
De’Aaron Fox Shows Good Sign For Spurs Return in Game 3