BREAKING: Sacramento Kings Star Fractures Finger

The Sacramento Kings were just delivered a potentially brutal blow in their efforts to right the ship against the Golden State Warriors in their first-round series. The Kings could very well be without All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox for Game 5, after he suffered a fractured finger on Sunday.

Sacramento Kings star De'Aaron Fox has suffered a fractured index finger in his left shooting hand, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fox is expected to be listed doubtful to play in Game 5 vs. Warriors.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 24, 2023

The fracture is at the tip of his index finger on his shooting hand. He's listed as doubtful for Game 5 in the series which is tied at 2 games apiece. 

Here's the play where De'Aaron Fox may have sustained his finger injury:pic.twitter.com/PLgMQjEkCw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 24, 2023

On this play late in the 4th quarter on Sunday, he can be seen shaking his hand in pain after drawing a foul. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Fox may still try to play with the break, but as noted by sports injury expert Jeff Stotts, it may be a difficult proposition.

Re: De'Aaron Fox: The nature of the break and any associated soft tissue damage will influence recovery. @wojespn reporting the break is to the tip of his finger, medically known as the distal phalanx. Fox may play with the area splinted but that could easily impact his shot.

— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) April 24, 2023

As noted by Stotts, if Fox were to wear a splint, it could definitely affect his shot since it is on his shooting hand 

Fox was recently named the NBA's first Clutch Player of the Year, and the Kings will certainly need his shot-making in the clutch if they are to win their first playoff series in nearly two decades. 

 Photo: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports