As the San Antonio Spurs prepare for their 8:30 p.m. ET bout against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, the status of two of their star guards is being closely monitored.
Veteran PG De’Aaron Fox and rookie G Dylan Harper are nursing minor injuries, but any potential absence could have a major impact on how the team performs in Game 3.
Below, we'll break down the latest Spurs injury report, whether the duo of Fox and Harper will play tonight, and who to target on PrizePicks if they sit.
Make your NBA Playoff picks on PrizePicks — including ones for Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 on Friday night.
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Spurs Injury Report: Updates on De’Aaron Fox & Dylan Harper for Game 3
Both Fox and Harper are listed as questionable for Game 3 against the Thunder, per the NBA’s Friday afternoon injury report. It’s a right ankle sprain for Fox and right adductor soreness for Harper.
Let’s dive into both players’ injury situations and some top PrizePicks projections for Friday.
Is De’Aaron Fox Playing in Game 3 vs. Thunder?
Despite logging nearly 37 minutes in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Fox did get rolled up on and hurt his ankle. He went on to play in Games 5 and 6 to close out the series, but he has yet to make his WCF debut.
The ankle continues to bother Fox, who poured in 18.6 points on average in 72 regular-season games. He did participate in Friday morning shootaround, albeit not at full intensity. On Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania provided the latest on Fox’s outlook.
“I’m told he’s going to be a game-time decision again tonight, but he is trying,” Charania said. “He is making improvements. Still dealing with soreness — he is going to be a game-time decision.”
Thus far in the postseason, Fox is averaging 18.8 points and 5.8 assists while making 34.6% of his 3-pointers. He’s the primary table-setter for San Antonio, making his recent missed games noteworthy.
De’Aaron Fox vs. Thunder Projections: 13.5 Points / 2.5 Rebounds (Goblin) / 22.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
Is Dylan Harper Playing in Game 3 vs. Thunder?
Harper played 25 minutes in Wednesday’s Game 2 loss to Oklahoma City, scoring 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting before exiting the contest.
Per Charania, he has a right adductor injury as opposed to the hamstring ailment some originally feared. The No. 2 overall NBA Draft pick out of Rutgers will conduct pregame warm-ups before the Spurs make a final call on his playing status.
In 69 regular-season games, Harper averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 50.5% shooting from the field. That scoring average is up to 14.4 in the postseason on 53.5% shooting overall.
Dylan Harper vs. Thunder Projections: 11.5 Points / 4 Rebounds / 2.5 Assists (Goblin)
What Players to Target on PrizePicks if Fox or Harper is Out?
What would the Spurs be missing out on impact-wise if Fox or Harper were to miss Friday’s pivotal Game 3 at home?
Per databallr, Fox has a net rating of -0.9 across the regular season and NBA Playoffs. That number is +2.8 for Harper, indicating that the Spurs fare better with their first-year man on the floor. The team’s overall net rating is +4.4 with both players off.
A few specific players could fill the stat sheet if Fox or Harper is out. Second-year guard Stephon Castle figures to get the ball more, as his usage rate increases by 4.7% without Fox and 5.9% minus Harper.
Wing Devin Vassell is quite a bit more efficient with Harper benched, as his true shooting percentage spikes from 52.2% to 60.1%. Elsewhere, all-world C Victor Wembanyama scores 1.1 more points per 75 possessions in Harper-less minutes.
Here are the Spurs players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Fox or Harper is out, as well as their stat projections for today.
- Stephon Castle vs. Thunder Projections: 18.5 Points / 5.5 Rebounds / 7.5 Assists
- Devin Vassell vs. Thunder Projections: 14 Points / 3.5 Rebounds / 1.5 3-PT Made (Goblin)
- Victor Wembanyama vs. Thunder Projections: 25.5 Points / 14.5 Rebounds / 3 Dunks
Wembanyama is always a threat to post crazy lines, but keep an eye on both Castle’s involvement and Vassell’s shooting production if one of the club’s top guards is out for Game 3.
Pick More or Less Spurs player stats on PrizePicks now before tonight’s tip.
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Make Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 Picks on PrizePicks
Both Fox and Harper are questionable, and Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 is quickly approaching. Regardless of whether either player suits up for the Western Conference Finals, the PrizePicks NBA board has a multitude of player projections ready to go.
Don't wait — make your Thunder vs. Spurs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
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