De’Aaron Fox continues to play through a painful right ankle injury, and the San Antonio Spurs guard is not using the setback as an excuse. After Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, Fox made it clear that the issue is frustrating, but not something he intends to dwell on.
The injury has lingered since a loose-ball collision in Game 4 against Minnesota, when he first felt the damage to his leg. It worsened again after Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort dove on the ankle late in the third quarter of the Thunder’s Game 3 win, leaving Fox with another difficult test in a postseason run already shaped by physical punishment.
Fox’s injury situation and what it means for the Spurs
A high ankle sprain is one of the hardest injuries to manage in the playoffs, especially for a player whose game depends on burst and pace. Fox missed the first two games against Oklahoma City because of the lingering effects, then returned early in the fourth quarter of Game 3 after spending time on the bench and getting his ankle checked.
His numbers showed effort, but not full health. In nearly 31 minutes, Fox posted 15 points, six assists, seven rebounds and four turnovers as the Spurs fell short after a strong opening burst.
“Obviously it is disappointing not being able to be 100 percent,” Fox said after the game. “But like I said, I’m able to be out there, so that’s all that matters to me right now.”
Fox stays focused on the bigger picture
Despite the pain, Fox has not allowed the injury to shake his outlook. He said he expects to keep playing and emphasized that there is no reason to feel sorry for himself while he remains on the floor.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of years left in my career,” Fox said. “Plus, I’m blessed to be in this position here, and to be doing this, so I can’t feel sorry for myself.”
That attitude reflects how Fox has approached his move to San Antonio, where he sees a more stable situation than the one he left behind in Sacramento. He forced his way to the Spurs in a three-team trade in early February 2025, after years of changes with the Kings that included six different head coaches and two front-office leaders during his time there.
Why Fox matters to San Antonio’s rise
Fox has been a central part of the Spurs’ jump this season. He averaged 18.6 points, 6.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 72 starts, helping San Antonio improve from 34 wins to 62 and finish just two games behind Oklahoma City for the second-best record in the league.
That progress has created high expectations around the franchise, with Fox, Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the core trying to close the gap on the Thunder. Fox said the Spurs believe they belong in that tier, adding, “We feel like we have the best team in the league.”
There has also been outside chatter about the Spurs’ backcourt future, especially with rookie Dylan Harper and second-year guard Stephon Castle in the picture. But neither Fox’s camp nor Spurs decision-makers are treating that as an immediate issue, and the organization appears focused on the present stretch of its playoff run rather than long-term speculation.
For now, Fox’s challenge is simpler and more immediate: manage the ankle, keep contributing when available and help San Antonio fight through a demanding series against an aggressive Thunder defense. His return for Game 4 remains expected, and the Spurs still lean on his leadership even while he is clearly limited.
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