De’Aaron Fox’s injury status remains a concern ahead of the San Antonio Spurs’ Game 2 against the OKC Thunder. Fox missed Game 1 after being listed as questionable. He had a 50-50 chance to suit up but was downgraded to out. Ahead of Game 2, the Spurs have again listed the former All-Star guard as questionable.
Fox has been dealing with right ankle soreness since Game 4 of the Western Conference semis against the Minnesota Timberwolves after Ayo Dosunmu dove at his legs in that contest. Fox was questionable for Games 5 and 6 of that matchup, but was available for those contests.
However, Fox reinjured that ankle shortly before halftime of Game 6. He attempted to tap a defensive rebound and landed awkwardly on his right ankle. Fox sprained it and exited for the locker room before everyone else. He returned to finish that game and ended with 21 points and nine assists on 8 of 10 shots.
According to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, De’Aaron Fox will remain a game-time decision for Wednesday’s showdown. The Spurs would naturally hope that Fox is healthy and available, as it would help them immensely in retaining the lead before heading home for Game 3.
However, the Spurs showed they have the depth to survive Fox’s absence after causing an upset in Game 1. Victor Wembanyama dropped his best playoff performance, scoring 41 points and grabbing 24 rebounds. Meanwhile, Dylan Harper, who replaced Fox in the starting lineup, had a historic stat line of 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals on 8 of 20 shots.
The Spurs won 122-115 in double overtime. Their crunchtime offense at the end of regulation and the first overtime looked clunky without De’Aaron Fox, so that was a concern. Nevertheless, as long as they have Wembanyama playing at his ceiling, there’s not much the Thunder can do about it with or without Fox.
De’Aaron Fox Stats vs. OKC Thunder
De’Aaron Fox has averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 24 games against the OKC Thunder. In five outings this year, Fox averaged 17.2 ppg, 6.2 apg and 3.7 rpg. He shot 53.2% from the field.
The Spurs won four of those games. Fox’s best outing was on Christmas Day as he tallied 29 points on 12 of 19 shots, while Victor Wembanyama was coming off the bench and playing on a minute restriction. The Surs won that game 117-102.
Where to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder Game 2?
NBC will nationally televise Game 2 of the Western Conference finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the OKC Thunder. Peacock will nationally stream the contest online. NBA League Pass will provide global coverage. The game will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.
