Spurs coach updates De'Aaron Fox status

De’Aaron Fox’s status for the Spurs’ next game is still unsettled, but San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson narrowed the timeline for a decision after Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Johnson said May 19 that Fox would be a game-time decision for Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder after missing the series opener with right ankle soreness. Fox was ruled out before Monday night’s Game 1 in Oklahoma City, where the Spurs still beat the Thunder 122-115 in double overtime. NBA.com, citing the team’s designation, said Fox missed the game because of right ankle soreness after testing it at morning shootaround and again before tipoff. (heavy.com) ### What exactly did Mitch Johnson say about Fox? Mitch Johnson told reporters Tuesday that Fox would spend the day resting and getting treatment before the team checked again before the next game. “He’ll do everything he can,” Johnson said, according to Heavy, which cited the San Antonio Express-News. “Which is mostly rest and then get treatment to prepare for the next game, and tomorrow pregame we’ll find out if he can.” (nba.com) Yahoo Sports separately reported Tuesday that Johnson said he had “no idea” whether Fox would be ready for Game 2, underscoring that the Spurs had not made a final call a day out. ### Why was Fox out in the first place? De’Aaron Fox was scratched from Game 1 because of right ankle soreness, the Spurs said. (heavy.com) The team did not give a more detailed diagnosis, and Johnson said during the opener that the issue was something that might not fully go away while San Antonio remained in the playoffs. (sports.yahoo.com) Fox entered the conference finals averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds in the postseason, according to Heavy and NBA player data surfaced in search results. ### How did the Spurs respond without him in Game 1? Dylan Harper started in Fox’s place and posted 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals in the Spurs’ Game 1 win. (nba.com) NBA.com said San Antonio’s replacement lineup helped the team overcome Fox’s absence, while Heavy reported Harper set a Spurs playoff record for steals in a game. (heavy.com) Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 41 points and 24 rebounds in more than 48 minutes. After the game, Wembanyama said the Spurs had to “cover up for our guy Fox,” adding that he hoped Fox would be available next game. ### What is Fox’s formal status going into Game 2? De’Aaron Fox was listed as questionable for Game 2, according to player-status information returned in search results. (nba.com) Heavy’s May 19 report described him as a game-time decision, and Yahoo’s May 20 coverage said his availability remained unclear entering the rematch. MSN, aggregating later reporting, said the Spurs’ latest injury report brought “good news” on Fox ahead of Game 2, but the team’s official determination still depended on pregame testing. (heavy.com) ### When will the decision come, and what should fans watch? (heavy.com) Game 2 between San Antonio and Oklahoma City is scheduled for May 20 in Oklahoma City, one day after Johnson’s update. Johnson said the decisive check would come “tomorrow pregame,” which places the final test close to tipoff rather than earlier in the day. (msn.com) The next concrete marker is the Spurs’ pregame availability window and final injury designation before Game 2. If Fox cannot go, San Antonio has already shown it can turn again to Harper in the starting group alongside Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie. (nba.com) (heavy.com)