The Sacramento Kings will play a must-win Game 6 on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. However, the health of one of their best players, De’Aaron Fox, is in question. Fox fractured a finger on his shooting hand in the Kings’ Game 4 loss to the Warriors but played through the injury in Game 5.
Now, his team is down 2-3, and Sacramento must win on the road to avoid being eliminated in Game 6. That leads to questions about Fox’s availability for Game 6 and whether he’ll play.
De’Aaron Fox’s latest injury status for Game 6: Warriors at Kings
This appears to be the play that De'Aaron Fox fractured his left index finger in the middle of the fourth quarter yesterday. On a floater after the whistle. Looks like it clips Kevon Looney's hand. First time you see him clutch at it. pic.twitter.com/0Ip5YWbw8g
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 24, 2023
Despite having a fractured finger, Fox is expected to play Game 6 against the Warriors in Sacramento. Of course, he will have to play through the pain but him being available should give a big boost to the Kings who haven’t played a playoff game of this magnitude in 16 years.
What’s at stake for the Sacramento Kings?
A win by the Kings in Game 6 would extend their season and force a Game 7 in Sacramento. If that were to happen, then it would dramatically improve their chances of winning their first-round series against the Warriors. Normally, a three-six series matchup isn’t quite as competitive, but the Warriors are no normal sixth seed. They are the reigning NBA champions, and they have much more experience than the Kings.
Still, they have struggled at times this season, including going just 11-30 on the road, but would have to win just one more game against the Kings to advance to the second round. If they can, then they could have an easier-than-expected path to the Western Conference Finals thanks to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento’s full injury report
Joining De’Aaron Fox on the injury report is point guard Matthew Dellavedova. Dellavedova had surgery on his finger and is likely to miss the rest of the series.
Sacramento’s remaining first-round series schedule
There will be Game 6 of the Kings-Warriors series. If the series goes the full seven games, then Game 7 would be played on Sunday in Sacramento. Here is Sacramento’s remaining series schedule.
Fri, Apr 28 @ Golden State TBD
Sun, Apr 30 vs Golden State TBD
Overall, despite having a broken finger on his shooting hand, Fox is expected to play Game 6 on Friday against the Warriors. If he can play well through the pain, then the Kings have a chance of tying up the series 3-3 against the defending champion Warriors.