The Spurs can have Victor Wembanyama again for a pivotal Recreation 5 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves after he averted suspension for a Recreation 4 flagrant foul, however the Spurs’ guard rotation might be shorthanded. De’Aaron Fox was already listed as questionable on yesterday’s damage report with a sore ankle after Ayo Dosunmo rolled up on his legs whereas diving for a unfastened ball within the second half of Recreation 4, which Fox briefly left earlier than returning, and right this moment, Dylan Harper has been listed as questionable with a sore knee.
The soreness is probably a results of a play from late within the fourth quarter when — guess who? — Dosunmu grabbed him from behind on an offensive rebound. Harper then fell backwards, along with his left leg folding beneath him. He remained down for just a few seconds, rubbing his knee earlier than getting again up. A foul was referred to as on Dosunmu on the play. (None if that is to say Dosunmu is a grimy participant. There’s a bit further on tug backwards there, however he was not attempting to carry Harper down, tried to catch him as he went down, and he checked on him after it occurred.)
Whereas each gamers had been seen working towards right this moment, Fox continues to be a game-time determination whereas Harper was downgraded to questionable. Past Wemby, guard play has been the Spurs’ greatest benefit on this spherical, and will probably be a tall process if Stephon Fortress has to hold the load by himself. If one however particularly each miss the sport, the Spurs may have to provide former Timberwolf Jordan McLaughlin some minutes, who to his credit score has at all times been prepared when referred to as upon and can provide them some stable minutes in smaller doses.
The excellent news is gamers being listed as questionable on sport day has not at all times meant they won’t play, so at this level there may be little purpose to panic. Nonetheless, each gamers have been very important to the Spurs postseason success to this point. Harper has averaged 15.3 factors and virtually 3 assists off the bench for the Spurs on this sequence, whereas Fox has struggled along with his capturing at instances however has nonetheless hit some huge, well timed pictures when wanted, averaging 16.8 factors and 4 assists.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM CT on NBC and Peacock. This sequence is tied at 2-2 and can return to Minnesota on Friday for Recreation 6.
