Despite getting off to a strong start, the San Antonio Spurs are beginning to show cracks. They have several rotation players out of the lineup, most notably star De'Aaron Fox. Fox appears close to making his season debut, and it couldn't come at a better time.
The Spurs were trounced by the Phoenix Suns, who handed them their first loss of the season, then lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Worse yet, they lost second overall pick Dylan Harper to a calf injury, which will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks, according to Shams Charania.
With both Fox and Harper out of the lineup, San Antonio is now dangerously thin at guard, forcing Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to play big minutes, but hopefully not for long.
Will De'Aaron Fox play against the Houston Rockets?
Fox definitely appears to be ready to play and has been playing five-on-five since before the start of the regular season. While he has been ruled out for the Spurs' game against the Rockets, it appears that he could very well suit up for the first time this season in their next game. Just not against Houston.
That will put the Spurs at a huge competitive disadvantage with both Fox and Harper currently out. Castle and Devin Vassell will likely have to play around 35 minutes each while also relying on less experienced players such as Jordan McLaughlin to sop up minutes in Fox's absence.
San Antonio Spurs' full injury report against the Rockets
Joining Fox on the injury report are Dylan Harper, and Luke Kornet. The Spurs could certainly use all of those players back, with at least three rotation players on the injury report.
Kornet will miss the Spurs' game against the Rockets due to an ankle injury. Harper will be out for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, increasing the need for Fox to return to the lineup as soon as possible, but not against the Rockets.
Houston Rockets' full injury report against the Spurs
As for the Rockets, they have several players on their injury report. Dorian Finney-Smith has yet to play this season and won't play against the Spurs. Same with Fred VanVleet, who is out with a torn ACL. Lastly, Steven Adams is questionable with a hip injury.
Overall, Fox is nearing a return to the Spurs lineup but won't play against Houston. With the Spurs shorthanded without Harper, they will need Fox to debut sooner rather than later.