Spurs Backcourt at Full Strength for Game 3; Thunder Lose Jalen Williams
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San Antonio will have both members of its starting backcourt available when the Western Conference semifinals shift to the AT&T Center on Friday. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper have been cleared to play in Game 3 against Oklahoma City.
Fox sat out the first two contests with a high right ankle sprain, while Harper exited Game 2 in the third quarter after suffering an adductor injury. Harper had opened the series as Fox’s replacement and delivered a record-setting performance for his age in the double-overtime Game 1 victory.
Without Fox organizing the offense, the Spurs committed 20 turnovers across the first two games, 19 of which came from guard Stephon Castle, who assumed much of the ball-handling responsibility. Castle and Harper, however, provided strong perimeter defense on Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a matchup San Antonio may rethink with Fox back in uniform.
Oklahoma City will be without forward Jalen Williams, Charania added. Williams continues to battle a recurring left hamstring issue that kept him out of the entire second-round series versus the Lakers. Rookie guard Ajay Mitchell, who started in Williams’ place against Los Angeles, is expected to play despite sustaining a minor injury late in Game 2.
Game 3 tips off Friday night in San Antonio with the best-of-seven series tied 1-1.
Source: Hoops Rumors
