The entire dynamic of the epic Warriors-Kings first round playoff series has changed.
According to reports, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox fractured the tip of his left index finger (his shooting hand) in Game 4 and is expected to be listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s Game 5.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania first broke the news on Monday afternoon, before Anthony Slater of The Athletic shared a look at the play where Fox could have got injured.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Kings believe “there’s still hope” that Fox will be able to play in Game 5 despite his doubtful designation. The series is tied 2-2 after the Warriors eked out an intense 126-125 victory in Game 4.
If Fox can’t go, the Kings simply wouldn’t have the same bite offensively or defensively. In his first career playoff series, the 25-year-old Fox is averaging 31.5 points, seven rebounds, six assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the floor.
Fox’s mid-range game is almost impossible to stop and he has been a tough guard for the Warriors, who relied on Draymond Green to slow him down in the second half Sunday as he went 5-of-15 from the floor, but still scored 17 of his 38 points. He’s also one of the quickest players in the game and can get to the rack with his speed.
Fox, who earned his first All-Star invite this season, was recognized for his crunch-time abilities as he was the inaugural winner of the NBA Clutch Player of the Year Award last week. Center Domantas Sabonis gets a lot of credit for the Kings’ rise this season, but Fox is truly the engine of the Kings.
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