‘Dog’: Kings fans react as De’Aaron Fox takes the court with a broken finger
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Sacramento Kings in the Playoffs
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No one is questioning the toughness of Kings star De’Aaron Fox, who is on the court for Game 5 of the first-round playoff series vs. the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday evening – with a broken bone on the index finger of his shooting hand.
Fox suffered an avulsion fracture to the tip of his left index finger during Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Warriors at Chase Center, which evened the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
He’s taking the court anyway for Game 5, seen during pregame warmups at Golden 1 Center putting up shots and adjusting a black protective piece on his finger.
Fox told reporters as early as Tuesday: “I’m playing.”
Since then, many on social media have affectionately called the 25-year-old guard a “dog.”
TV commentators were also impressed by the 25-year-old guard’s mettle as he prepared to play through the injury.
“I love it. I expect it,” analyst Matt Barnes said during the Kings pregame show on NBC Sports California. “He knows this team needs this game, and he’s gonna do everything he can to help them get this win.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr in a pregame interview called Fox a “gamer.”
Pundits were quick to point out that Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant played with the same type of fracture to the index finger on his shooting hand in the 2010 playoffs – and won the title and NBA Finals MVP honors in the process.
A chyron during the Warriors pregame show on NBC Sports Bay Area put forth the question: “Can De’Aaron Fox channel his inner Kobe?”
Some fans were nervous: Will Fox be effective? And if he isn’t, will an unfortunate injury mar what has otherwise been a highly competitive first-round matchup?
Time will tell, with Game 5 just getting underway in Sacramento.
This story was originally published April 26, 2023 at 7:14 PM.
