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[Saba Sports News] Another key player for the San Antonio Spurs is officially done for the season.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox will undergo season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie finger.
The injury, which he originally suffered during training camp in October while still with the Sacramento Kings, had been nagging him all season. After attempting to play through it, Fox and the Spurs have decided to prioritize surgery and a full recovery.
Fox, 27, was an All-Star and All-NBA selection with the Kings in 2022-23 before being acquired by San Antonio in a three-team blockbuster trade last month. In his short stint with the Spurs, he averaged 19.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Just before the injury news broke, Fox delivered a standout 32-point, nine-rebound, 11-assist performance in a win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite his contributions, the Spurs’ playoff hopes have been fading fast. At 27-37, they sit five games out of the Western Conference play-in tournament.
With star center Victor Wembanyama already ruled out for the season due to a blood-clotting issue, San Antonio appears to be shifting focus toward the future.
With Fox sidelined for the final 18 games, rookie Stephon Castle is expected to take over the starting role alongside veteran Chris Paul. Castle, already a frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year, will now have an expanded opportunity to develop as the Spurs look ahead to next season.