Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) reacts after making a 3-point basket in the third quarter during Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Sat Apr 15, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Fox injured his left index finger during game 4 Sun Apr 23, 2023 at Chase Center in San Francisco and is expected back in the line up for game 5 Wed Apr 26, 2023 at Golden 1 (AP News photo)

DeAaron Fox – Up For the Challenge

By Barbara Mason

After Monday’s update, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox was doubtful for game five vs the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night at Golden One Center. After fracturing his left index finger in game four, it was looking rather grim for the Kings. Losing Fox for the remainder of the playoffs was a nightmarish prospect.

What a difference a day makes as we awoke to the news that Fox is 99-100% playing in game five despite the injury. This game is pivotal and nothing is going to stop this guy from taking the court Wednesday night.

His injury is described as severe but Fox himself said that he would be fine. He can still shoot and dribble the ball. Had this occurred during the regular season he would have probably been out 1 to 2 weeks but this is the playoffs and Sacramento needs him for this critical game five.

This news really gave the Kings a confidence boost but there is also a caveat that goes along with this news. The entire team will have to step up and increase production. That is the tradeoff. Players like Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell off the bench will be needed along with Domantas Sabonis.

Keegan Murray will have to continue to up his game as well as Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter. It will be all hands on deck for this one. This will not be an easy task for either Fox or the team but this is a gutsy, determined bunch.

Fox is really putting himself out there and he will need the support and help from all of his teammates. It will be no secret that the Warriors will be gunning for that left hand. I fully expect the entire team will step up in the same manner that Fox himself has stepped up. He is putting it all on the line and the team will have to do the same. This has been a crazy turn of events for the Kings. Why not add just one more thing to the crazy and not only win game five but the series.