‘No if ands or buts’: De’Aaron Fox plans to play in Game 5
Apr 25, 2023, 3:02 PM | Updated: 10:47 pm
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The city of Sacramento let out a collective gasp on Monday afternoon when the news broke that Kings guard De’Aaron Fox had fractured the tip of his left index finger.
Fox, who was injured midway through the fourth quarter during Sunday’s 126-125 heartbreaking loss to the Golden State Warriors, is currently listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s crucial Game 5 matchup in this 2-2 series.
While the official injury designation for the star guard is ‘doubtful,’ Fox plans to take the floor with his teammates at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night.
“Right now, there are no if, ands, or buts,” Fox said following Tuesday’s practice. “I’m playing.”
Fox was seen in the Kings practice facility getting shots up as he attempted to find a level of comfortability with a finger brace that can affect the way players shoot, dribble and pass the basketball.
“As we got going, as the pain started going away, I felt like I could take my normal shot,” Fox said of how he felt wearing the brace. “I think I’ll be good. The ball-handling was actually fine. As soon as I got out here, dribbling and passing was fine. The most important thing was can I shoot as painful as possible.”
Pain tolerance will be something to watch for when it comes to Fox’s injury, but the All-Star said that the pain levels decreased as the swelling subsided. As for what kind of risks he will face on the floor, Fox said he’s prepared to play through the pain.
“I expect it to get hit. At this point in the season, something hurts anyways,” Fox said when asked if there are concerns his finger could take contact during a game. “You play through the pain. There are no excuses coming from this way.”
Post-practice work for De’Aaron Fox. Normal routine for him at the end of each practice session. pic.twitter.com/md7lBKH4If
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) April 25, 2023
It appears that Fox’s injury occurred with 4:35 remaining in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, with the All-Star guard taking a hit to his hand from Warriors center Kevon Looney in-between plays.
Fox went on to finish the game with 38 points on 14-of-31 shooting from the field to go along with nine rebounds and five assists.
The star guard is averaging 31.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range during the first four games of this hard-fought playoff series against the defending champions.
Fox played the final four minutes of Sunday’s game with the injury and looked unbothered, scoring seven points to help give Sacramento a chance at pulling out a win.
With the series winding down and the Kings needing two wins out of the next three games to advance to the second round of the playoffs, Fox is going to attempt to lead his team to victory on Wednesday in gutsy fashion–playing with a fractured tip of the left index finger.
De’Aaron Fox is adding to his Sacramento Kings legacy. In a time of need Fox is choosing to play through an injury that he said would normally sideline him for “one or two weeks” as he looks to put this team on the doorstep of moving on to face the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies series.
Expect the star guard to receive a lengthy ovation come player introductions in front of an amped-up Golden 1 Center.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
NBA Western Conference Playoffs – First Round
- Wednesday, April 26th – Game 5: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PST
- Friday, April 28th – Game 6: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – TBD
- Sunday, April 30th – Game 7**: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – TBD
**If necessary
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