The San Antonio Spurs enter Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night with injury concerns surrounding two rotation players as they prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road.
San Antonio advanced to the conference finals after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, while Oklahoma City reached the series undefeated in the playoffs after sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers.
The matchup features two of the NBA’s top young teams, led by Victor Wembanyama for San Antonio and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for Oklahoma City. However, the Spurs’ availability report became a major storyline ahead of Monday’s opener after the team listed De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet as questionable.
San Antonio Spurs List De’Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet as Questionable
GettySan Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox
The Spurs announced earlier that Fox is questionable for Game 1 because of right ankle soreness, while Kornet is dealing with left foot soreness.
Fox’s status drew particular attention because he has played through the ankle issue during recent playoff games. An update later Monday noted that Fox participated in shootaround ahead of the matchup against Oklahoma City.
Later, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Anunoby is “going to be playing in Game 1.”
If Fox is unable to play, San Antonio could turn to Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson for larger offensive roles alongside Stephon Castle and Wembanyama.
Fox has been a key part of San Antonio’s postseason run after joining the Spurs earlier in the season. His scoring, pace, and perimeter creation have helped balance an offense built around Wembanyama’s interior presence.
The Spurs are coming off a strong closeout performance against Minnesota in Game 6, with Castle delivering one of his best playoff games of the season.
Kornet’s injury status could also affect San Antonio’s frontcourt depth behind Wembanyama. If he cannot play, Carter Bryant, Mason Plumlee, and Kelly Olynyk may see expanded minutes off the bench.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City split attention throughout the regular season because of their emerging young cores, and the Spurs were one of the few teams to consistently challenge the Thunder. San Antonio finished 4-1 against Oklahoma City during the regular season.
Monday’s game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Thunder Welcome Back Jalen Williams Before Western Conference Finals
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams
While the Spurs monitor Fox and Kornet, Oklahoma City enters the series with a major boost of its own.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Thunder forward Jalen Williams is expected to return for Game 1 after missing most of the postseason because of a hamstring strain suffered during the first round.
Williams has not played since Game 2 against the Suns, but Oklahoma City advanced through two playoff rounds without losing a game.
The Thunder finished the regular season 64-18 and have continued to rely on their depth throughout the postseason.
Williams averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists during the regular season despite dealing with wrist and hamstring injuries that limited him to 33 games.
His return adds another playmaker alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein as Oklahoma City prepares for what many view as its toughest playoff matchup so far.
The Thunder are expected to continue starting Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Holmgren, and Hartenstein, while Williams could either re-enter the starting lineup immediately or operate under some level of minute management early in the series.
Oklahoma City has received major postseason contributions from players such as Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe during Williams’ absence.
The series also carries added significance because it features two of the NBA’s youngest contenders. Gilgeous-Alexander recently won his second consecutive MVP award, while Wembanyama finished third in MVP voting after another dominant season.
The Thunder are attempting to return to the NBA Finals for a second straight year, while the Spurs are trying to complete one of the league’s fastest turnarounds after winning 62 games this season behind Wembanyama, Castle, and Harper.
Game 1 now shifts focus toward whether Fox will be healthy enough to play and how quickly Williams can reintegrate into Oklahoma City’s rotation in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched playoff series of the year.
San Antonio Spurs Announce Injury Report Ahead of Western Conference Finals