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Warriors playoff chances just got way better after major Kings injury

With Sacramento’s leading scorer likely sidelined for Wednesday’s Game 5, Golden State is suddenly in great shape.

Two basketball players jump as one shoots the ball while the other tries to block in front of an audience and nearby teammates.
Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during an NBA game at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Nov. 13, 2022. | Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors still need to win one of two games in Sacramento to finish off the Kings and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, but their hopes of advancing just got a major boost after it was revealed to Shams Charania of The Athletic that Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox fractured his index finger on his shooting hand.

Fox reportedly suffered the injury midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 126-125 Game 4 loss at Chase Center and played through it. He scored a game-high 38 points, but the Warriors evened the series at two games apiece after Harrison Barnes’ game-winning 3-point attempt missed.

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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Fox fractured the tip of the index finger on his left hand. The left-handed shooter would need to play with a protective covering on his finger. He will be listed as doubtful for Game 5 on Wednesday.

Fox was speculated to have suffered the injury with 4:35 remaining in Game 4.

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The Kings posted a 4-5 record without Fox during the 2022-23 regular season, including a 2-1 mark at home. Davion Mitchell, a member of Baylor’s 2021 NCAA championship team, is likely to slot into the starting lineup if Fox is unable to go on Wednesday night.