Kings’ Fox fractured index finger during Game 4, officially “doubtful” for Game 5

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Just as the Sacramento Kings were dispelling the idea that teams should have wanted to face them in the first round of the West playoffs comes this gut punch.

All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox has suffered a fractured index finger on his left hand — his shooting hand — and is officially “doubtful” for Game 5 on Wednesday. Shams Charania of The Athletic was first with the news, which multiple sources have since confirmed.

The injury happened during Game 4 — apparently after the whistle on the play below with 4:35 left in the game — and he played through it at the time.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports the fracture is near the tip of the index finger. Whether or how well Fox could play with that finger injury on his shooting hand could be a big swing in a 2-2 series that has been incredibly even so far.

After an All-Star regular season where he won the Clutch Player of the Year award, Fox has cemented his standing as an elite point guard with his postseason play, averaging 31.5 points, seven assists, and six rebounds a game. How much the Warriors fear Fox was evident on the final play of regulation Sunday, when Draymond Green and Stephen Curry doubled Fox to make him give up the ball and dare any other King to beat them (Harrison Barnes almost did, but his good look 3-pointer clanged off the back of the rim).

If he misses Game 5 it will be a big ask of Davion Mitchell, who has played a key defensive role in this series but is not near the same offensive force. The Kings also will need a big night from Domantas Sabonis — who has not played at the same level with Green and Kevon Looney draped on him — and some other role players to step up.

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Kings’ Fox fractured index finger during Game 4, officially “doubtful” for Game 5 originally appeared on NBCSports.com

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kings-fox-fractured-index-finger-202301427.html?src=rss

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2023-04-24 20:23:01

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