Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox expects to return from injury vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox hit a halfcourt shot to start the portion of practice that was open to reporters Thursday.
Then he said he expects to return to the lineup when the Kings open a four-game homestand against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday after missing a game due to left wrist soreness.
“Should be fine,” Fox said. “It’s a little sore right now, but I’ll be alright.”
Fox said he didn’t know how he injured the wrist. He played nearly 37 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder before sitting out Tuesday’s contest. He scored 33 points Sunday, continuing his Sacramento-era record seven-game streak with at least 30. He spent the game Tuesday on the bench in street clothes wearing an electronic treatment device on his left wrist.
“I woke up after that first OKC game and I couldn’t bring my hand back,” Fox said. “So I don’t know. I only fell once and it didn’t hurt then. And then even on the dunk, it didn’t hurt, so I’m not sure where it came from.”
Fox underwent an MRI on Tuesday hours before the Kings beat the Thunder 123-117 to extend their winning streak to four games. The Clippers are coming to Sacramento for Friday’s game hoping to avenge the dramatic double-overtime game between the two teams last week in Los Angeles.
Fox scored 42 points and Malik Monk had a career-high 45. The Kings came back from deficits in the fourth quarter and both overtimes to escape with the 176-175 win. It was the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.
“Anybody that was apart of that game, at that game, watching on TV, they’ll probably always remember two teams putting up over 170 points per game,” Fox said. “I’m sure if you ask anybody, if they watched that game, they know exactly where they were when they watched it.”
With Fox out on Tuesday, the Kings received strong performances from Harrison Barnes (29 points), Kevin Huerter (20) and Davion Mitchell (15) to end their three-game road trip undefeated. Mitchell earned the defensive player of the game chain from the coaching staff and hit a pair of jump shots in the final minute, including a 3-pointer, to seal it.
“Having different guys step up at different times is always fun to watch, and is really rewarding,” Kings coach Mike Brown said Thursday. “Not only for that individual but for the group because this is a team deal, and they’re keeping themselves ready whenever their number’s called.”
Fox is averaging a career-best 25.4 points per game. He has scored at least 30 in nine of his last 10 games.
This story was originally published March 2, 2023 at 1:29 PM.
