The Spurs are hoping to come into a pivotal Game 3 with a healthy roster, but it’s unclear what their backcourt depth will look like as starting point guard De’Aaron Fox is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain while rookie Dylan Harper, who has been starting in Fox’s place, is listed as questionable with right adductor soreness, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
After averaging 17.7 points and 5.0 assists in the Spurs’ six-game series win over the Timberwolves, Fox has missed the first two games of the series due to a right high ankle sprain. He was listed as questionable coming into Game 2, but ruled out prior to tip-off.
Harper has averaged 14.4 points and 1.5 steals in 26.8 minutes per game throughout his rookie season playoffs run, and those numbers rose to 18.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.5 steals in the two games he started for Fox against the Thunder. However, Harper left Game 2 early with a hamstring injury after coming down awkwardly in the third quarter and was scheduled for an MRI on Thursday.
Short on guards, the Spurs turned to 30-year-old backup Jordan McLaughlin, who had played just 24 minutes in the playoffs prior to Game 2. He played seven minutes, scoring six points on a pair of threes. If neither Fox nor Harper are able to go in Game 3, McLaughlin might be tasked with more backup guard minutes.
“We have to continue to trust our depth and guys have to step up and when their names call and answer the bell,” head coach Mitch Johnson said, per Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News.
Thunder star wing Jalen Williams is also listed as questionable and is considered day-to-day due to a left hamstring injury moving forward.
Game 3 will tip off at 7:30 Central on Friday.
Need Fox man. Harper get well player.