PG De’Aaron Fox is listed as questionable for Monday, May 18’s Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at 8:30 p.m. ET.
A nagging injury continues to hinder Fox a bit, bringing his status for the conference finals to the forefront as one of two key Spurs ailments to keep an eye on.
Below, we'll break down the latest De’Aaron Fox injury update, if Fox will play tonight, and who to target on PrizePicks if he sits.
Make your NBA Playoff picks on PrizePicks — including ones on Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1.
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De’Aaron Fox Injury Update: Is Fox Playing Tonight vs. Thunder?
Fox is officially listed as questionable for Monday’s Game 1 vs. the Thunder, per the NBA injury report early in the afternoon, with “right ankle soreness.”
In Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Fox was undercut by Minnesota G Ayo Dosunmu while both players went after a loose ball. Despite suffering the minor injury, he managed to play nearly 37 minutes in the contest.
Fox then went on to play in both Games 5 and 6, scoring a combined 39 points on 14-of-25 shooting (56.0%) from the field and 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep.
In just the second playoff run of his career, Fox has played a critical role in the Spurs’ offensive success. He’s averaging 18.8 points and 5.8 assists in 11 games, also boasting a 24.7% usage rate in the process.
As Fox’s status continues to be monitored, you can make picks on his PrizePicks projections if he does play. Popular De’Aaron Fox projections include 15.5 Points, 2.5 Rebounds (Goblin), 8.5 Rebs + Asts, 29.5 Fantasy Score, and more.
What Players to Target on PrizePicks if Fox Is Out?
Given that Fox has been able to play through the pain, it’d be a surprise if he didn’t suit up for a critical series-opening clash in Oklahoma City. Elsewhere for San Antonio, C Luke Kornet is questionable with left foot soreness.
If Fox somehow does sit, what would the Spurs be missing? According to advanced impact metrics, not a whole lot. Per databallr, Fox owned a -1.5 net rating during the regular season. That number is down to -4.8 in the postseason, with all the difference arriving on the defensive end of the floor.
From an individual standpoint, three particular Spurs players could see shifted workloads if Fox doesn’t play. First and foremost is 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. The second-year guard sees a 4.7% increase in usage with Fox on the bench.
Elsewhere, don’t forget about rookie guard Dylan Harper. The Rutgers product is settling into his role well this NBA Playoffs and shoots 5.4% better from range in minutes without Fox.
The true bell cow for San Antonio, of course, is superstar C Victor Wembanyama. Regardless of whether Fox is on the court, however, his involvement remains mostly the same. Wemby experiences a modest 0.8% increase in usage without Fox, and his points per 75 possessions (30.5) remain the same.
Here are the Spurs players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Fox is out, as well as their stat projections for tonight.
- Stephon Castle vs. Thunder Projections: 17 Points / 5 Rebounds / 6 Assists
- Dylan Harper vs. Thunder Projections: 10.5 Points / 4 Rebounds / 2.5 Assists (Goblin)
- Victor Wembanyama vs. Thunder Projections: 24.5 Points / 12.5 Rebounds / 1.5 3-PT Made
Wembanyama is always an intriguing prospect to spearhead the Spurs’ efforts on offense. If Fox is limited or out altogether, though, the data implies that Castle could be the one to benefit.
Pick More or Less Spurs player stats on PrizePicks now before the 8:30 p.m. ET tip.
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Make Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 Picks on PrizePicks
With Game 1 between San Antonio and Oklahoma City just hours away, De’Aaron Fox is carrying a questionable designation. As tip-off approaches, projections for him and several other plays for Monday are available.
Don't wait — make your Spurs vs. Thunder picks for Game 1 on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
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