Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson Shares Update on De'Aaron Fox After Injury Scare in Game 3
De'Aaron Fox played in his first conference finals appearance on Friday, after missing Games 1 and 2 for the San Antonio Spurs due to a right high ankle sprain. The Spurs missed Fox's production and control, as he contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. However, that was not enough as the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a 123-108 win to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Late in the third quarter, however, Fox limped back to the bench after going after a loose ball. He reaggravated his right ankle injury and had to get it checked out. Fortunately for the Spurs, the star guard returned in the fourth quarter.
After the loss, head coach Mitch Johnson was asked about the status of Fox and rookie guard Dylan Harper. In Game 2, Harper left the game due to an apparent hamstring strain and did not return. Ahead of Game 3, he was cleared to play by the Spurs.
"I haven't asked how they're doing, I'm sure they're beat up," Johnson said. "They're giving us everything they got. So it's commendable just the fight that they have.
Mitch Johnson asked about De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper after the game. He also spoke about the hot start and how his team was unable to sustain that. pic.twitter.com/V8Z9cMd663
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) May 23, 2026
"It's that time of the year where guys are playing with more than bumps and bruises. So just tip the cap and ask as much as they can give."
Even star Victor Wembanyama was asked about Fox and Harper. According to the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, he wants both guards to be at their best health in the postseason.
"It pains me to see them in pain. I trust that they're going to be healthy soon and come back. They should take care of their health… like we did game one, we're gonna have their back," the star player said.
Although it was a tough blow to see Fox suffer an injury, his presence in Game 3 helped solve one problem for the Spurs.
De'Aaron Fox Helped the Spurs' Turnover Issues
In the first two games that Fox didn't play, the Spurs had to rely on Stephon Castle to be the primary ball handler. However, Castle isn't a natural point guard and has issues protecting the ball. The former UConn guard committed 20 turnovers in Games 1 and 2, giving the Spurs a total of 44 turnovers.
Fortunately, the Spurs were limited to just 15 turnovers. Even if it's still a big number, Fox's presence helped the team deal with one of their biggest issues against the Thunder. The star guard led the team with four turnovers, while Castle finished with only one.
Related: Thunder Bench Makes NBA History With Dominant Game 3 Performance vs. Spurs
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 11:12 PM.