In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, tempers were rising as both the Thunder and Spurs played with increasing desperation. In what’s been the most highly competitive series of the 2026 playoffs so far, injuries have already gotten in the way, and it once again became a story in Friday’s contest.
This time, it was Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox who went down, suffering an ankle injury toward the end of the third quarter. As Fox was going for a loose ball, he collided with Thunder guard Lu Dort, twisting Fox’s ankle at the point of contact. He rushed to the locker room for treatment before coming back out to rejoin his teammates.
Does the contact between De’Aaron Fox and Lu Dort look intentional here? pic.twitter.com/uzgEMgUtxW
— Spurs Factory (@SpursFactory) May 23, 2026
It’s been an intense series so far, with both star-studded teams giving maximum effort. It’s easy to tell that both sides want to win, but there are variables that remain outside of their control. For the Spurs, the biggest thing holding them back right now is health, and a compromised Fox is the last thing they need.
Fox did return to the game, but he was walking with a noticeable limp for the rest of the night. Despite a solid stat line (15 points, six rebounds, five assists), many fans worried that he would be a liability on the floor. Others worried that he might make the injury even worse than it already was. It doesn’t help that this was only his first night back in the lineup after missing the two previous games with ankle soreness.
In the end, Fox was able to play through the pain, and it appears that he avoided a more serious setback. That’s great news for a Spurs team that desperately needs his production on the floor. This season, in 72 regular-season games, De’Aaron averaged 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on on 48.6% shooting and 33.2% shooting from three. As their primary point guard, he sets the table for his teammates and takes pressure off Victor Wembanyama, who is determined to lead the Spurs to their first championship since 2014.
For the Thunder, this game was another showcase of their signature physicality. They’ve been bullying Victor throughout the series and manipulating the whistle to utilize every advantage. Tonight was no exception, and De’Aaron Fox got caught in the crossfire. While it didn’t seem intentional at the time, fans are still blaming the Thunder for their controversial tactics.
Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to be a major setback for Fox, who was able to carry on and finish the game. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s in the clear, and he could feel lingering pain there for the rest of the postseason. Also, with the Spurs just getting Dylan Harper back, their situation is fragile right now, and any further hiccups could spell the end of their NBA title hopes.
Ultimately, while De’Aaron Fox avoided a more significant injury, the Spurs still took the loss in a game where the enemy was shorthanded (no Jalen Williams). That’s not the result they were hoping for, and now they are facing the prospect of falling behind 1-3 if they can’t pull out a victory on Sunday.
