The Spurs’ backcourt will be fully healthy for Game 3 in San Antonio on Friday, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper have both been cleared to play (Twitter link).
Fox missed the first two games of the series with a high right ankle sprain, while Harper left Game 2 in the third quarter after suffering an adductor injury.
Harper started the first two games in lieu of Fox and put up historic numbers for his age in Game 1. While the Spurs were able to take Game 1 on the road in double overtime, Fox’s absence was strongly felt, particularly when it came to organizing the offense and taking care of the ball.
Stephon Castle took over a large portion of the point guard duties, and while he had 19 assists through two games, he also had 20 turnovers.
However, the Castle/Harper combination was formidable defensively against Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Spurs may have to adjust their scheme with the return of Fox.
Meanwhile, Jalen Williams has been ruled out for the Thunder, Charania reports (via Twitter). Williams is dealing with the effects of a recurring left hamstring injury that caused him to miss the entire second round against the Lakers. Ajay Mitchell started for Williams in the Lakers series, but Mitchell also suffered a minor injury in Game 2, though it was not expected to keep him from playing.
The NBA playoffs: Come to see who lucks out in the training room and who doesn’t.
I’m rapidly losing interest.
And yet you find the time to comment on an
NBA rumors site despite that lack of interest…