Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox doubtful for Game 5 vs. Warriors with fractured finger
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Sacramento Kings in the Playoffs
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The Kings remained remarkably healthy during the regular season as they made a magical run to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, but they got a bad break Monday that could change everything.
All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox is expected to miss Game 5 of Sacramento’s first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center after being diagnosed with a broken finger on his shooting hand.
Fox suffered a fractured left index finger in a Game 4 loss to the Warriors on Sunday at Chase Center in San Francisco, a league source told The Sacramento Bee. The team confirmed Monday evening that X-rays showed an avulsion fracture and Fox will be listed as doubtful when the Kings play host to the Warriors in a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Fox fractured the tip of the index finger. Sources told ESPN there is still hope Fox will try to play in Game 5, but the Kings might have to go on without him in a contentious and physical series against the Warriors.
The Kings will likely start second-year guard Davion Mitchell if Fox is unable to play. The Kings went 4-5 without Fox during the regular season.
Fox apparently sustained the injury with 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 126-125 loss to the Warriors. Golden State guard Jordan Poole was called for a non-shooting foul on Fox as he drove to the basket. As Fox continued to the basket for a layup attempt after the whistle, Warriors center Kevon Looney swatted at the ball, striking Fox’s left hand.
Fox immediately shook his hand and grabbed his finger in a momentary show of discomfort, but he remained in the game. Fox scored seven points over the final 4:23 — including a clutch 3-pointer to cut Golden State’s lead to one with 28.1 seconds remaining — but he went 2 of 6 from the field.
Fox averaged 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 44.7% from the field and 34.2% from 3-point range over the first four games of the series. He has gone toe-to-toe with two-time MVP Stephen Curry, who is averaging 31.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
“I think he’s just continuing to build off the player that he has been,” Kings forward Harrison Barnes said. “In the national presence, people haven’t necessarily watched Kings games, but for people who have watched us all season long, who’ve watched him over the years, this is who he is. He’s just doing it on a bigger stage.”
Fox, who came out of Kentucky as the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, has enjoyed a breakout season in Sacramento. He made his first All-Star appearance and was recently named the recipient of the inaugural NBA Clutch Player of the Year award.
Fox scored 38 points in a Game 1 win over the Warriors in Sacramento. He had 38 points, nine rebounds and five assists in Game 4, prompting TNT analyst and NBA legend Charles Barkley to call this playoff series Fox’s “coming out party.”
“I think he just kind of turned up a notch from the regular season to now,” Kings rookie Keegan Murray said. “Just shows that he can be a superstar in this league. He made tough baskets and kept us in it. His on-ball pressure was good in this game and he’s playing well on both ends of the ball, which is huge for us.”
Looney was asked about the problems Fox presents following the dramatic conclusion to Game 4.
“He’s a talented player,” Looney said. “He gets to the spots really well. He’s super fast and he plays under control. He has great size for a point guard. He’s an automatic from the elbow in the pick-and-roll.
“We have to try to get him off his spots. That’s easier said than done. We just try to make it tough as possible for him. He’s got it going the whole series. He’s a great player. … We have to do a better job of containing him. We have to get stops when we need to and we have to try to slow him down the next game.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 12:57 PM.
