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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 10: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 10, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The San Antonio Spurs travel to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.
The Spurs are coming off a strong series-clinching victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, meaning they received just two days of rest compared to seven days for the Thunder.
San Antonio has been hit with a significant setback ahead of Monday’s tip-off. Star guard De’Aaron Fox has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Frost Bank Center on December 29, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Fox, in his ninth NBA season, began battling ankle problems toward the end of the Spurs’ semifinal series against the Timberwolves. He was a question mark entering each game since Game 5 of the second round.
Fox’s injury means head coach Mitch Johnson has to make a major lineup adjustment.
The Spurs have impressive depth and have multiple guards that can pick up the slack, but Fox’s speed in transition and quickness in the passing lanes on defense makes him vital to the Spurs.
Without Fox, the Spurs will roll out the following starting five in Game 1 against the Thunder:
PG: Dylan Harper
SG: Stephon Castle
SF: Devin Vassell
GettyVictor Wembanyama #1 and Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs high five each other during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
GettyDylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs greets fans as he walks off the court after Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 24, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
San Antonio has done well when lacking bodies this season. Even without Wembanyama for one game earlier this postseason, the Spurs completed a near 20-point comeback on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
Without Wembanyama for the majority of Game 4 against the Wolves — Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter after striking big man Naz Reid in the jaw area — the Spurs fought valiantly on the road but fell just short in the end.
Of course, the Thunder are a completely different monster.
They’ve gone 8-0 so far this postseason and boast a gargantuan +128 point-differential, one of the highest marks of all time by a defending champion.
Oklahoma City is captained by freshly crowned two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Without Fox, the Spurs will be down a major player among the few they can throw at the brilliant Gilgeous-Alexander.
In addition to the rising Harper, who has had a strong postseason so far, San Antonio will likely turn to Johnson, the winner of this season’s Sixth Man of the Year award, to contribute some offense in Fox’s absence.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
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