Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox is expected to be doubtful for Game 5 on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors. The All-Star guard injured his index finger in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski had this to report:
"Kings guard De'Aaron Fox fractured the very tip of his left index finger in Game 4, but there's still hope he will try and play Game 5 on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN. Fox would need to play with a protective covering on the finger. He will be listed as doubtful."
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De'Aaron Fox has arguably been the best player in the Kings-Warriors series. He is averaging 31.5 points on 44.7% shooting, including 34.2% from deep. "Swipa" is also putting up 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals in four games against the defending champs.
Fox started slowly in the playoffs as he only had nine points in the first half of Game 1. Once he got accustomed to the speed and physicality of the postseason, there was no turning back for the cat-quick point guard.
Sacramento's electric floor general dropped 29 points in the second half to lead the Kings to a thrilling 126-123 victory over the Warriors.
In the Kings' narrow 126-125 loss to the defending NBA champs, De'Aaron Fox was once again the biggest thorn in Golden State's side. He dueled with Steph Curry throughout the game, often winning their mini-battles.
The Warriors eventually decided to put Draymond Green on him starting the second half of Game 4. Fox struggled a little with Green houding him, but he also missed a couple of open shots.
It's unfortunate if after waiting for 17 years, the Kings' playoff aspirations will only be dashed by an injury to their best player.
The Sacramento Kings could be doomed following De'Aaron Fox's injury
De'Aaron Fox, if he's able to play, is expected to have a protective cover on his finger. Even without the Golden State Warriors' defense on him, efficiently making shots will already be a big challenge for him.
The Warriors have thrown the kitchen sink at the first-time All-Star in trying to stop him from making his usual impact. They eventually forced Draymond Green, their best defender, on him to try and slow him down.
Green's presence helped as he held Fox to 2-7 as the main defender. A few of the point guard's shots, though, could have easily gotten in. He just missed them even though it was the former Defensive Player of the Year who was shadowing him.
The Sacramento Kings worked hard to get to this point. They will not give up easily even if De'Aaron Fox is injured. A compromised Fox, however, may just be what will completely tilt the series into the Warriors' side.
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