The Kings were dealt some devastating injury news.
One day after Sacramento fell to Golden State in Game 4 of the first round, The Athletic's Shams Charania revealed that Kings All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox has suffered an injury on his shooting hand, which placed doubt around his availability moving forward in the series.
What does this mean for Fox and the Kings ahead of a pivotal Game 5? Here is what we know about his injury.
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What is De'Aaron Fox's injury?
According to Charania, Fox suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Kings' loss in Game 4.
It isn't completely clear when the injury occurred, but Coach Pyper of Half Court Hoops shared a play from the fourth quarter in which Fox looks at his finger as he apparently experienced discomfort.
Noticed Fox looking at his finger last night, but didn't expect this...Brutal. https://t.co/2E96LyY3PX pic.twitter.com/K2uxbCAj22
— Half Court Hoops (@HalfCourtHoops) April 24, 2023
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski added that the fracture is in the very tip of Fox's finger, which would mean he would need to wear a protective covering if he were to play in the series moving forward.
Fox finished Game 4 with 38 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes of action. He is averaging 31.5 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds for the series.
How long will De'Aaron Fox be out?
Charania reported on Tuesday, April 25 that Fox plans to play in Game 5 while dealing with his fractured index finger on his left shooting hand.
Kings star De’Aaron Fox says today that he plans to play in Game 5 vs. Warriors while dealing with the fractured left index finger on shooting hand. https://t.co/Klgac1DN77
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 25, 2023
Despite initial reports that Fox would be "doubtful" for Game 5, the All-Star guard plans to play through the injury as the Kings enter their most important game of the season.
As indicated by Wojnarowski, the injury will require Fox to take extra protective measures to play.
It is worth reiterating that Fox's injury is on his dominant hand. In the last four minutes of Game 4, Fox shot 1-of-5 from the field and committed a turnover.
MORE: Why are the Warriors so much better at home?
Kings vs. Warriors schedule
Here is the schedule for the remainder of the series between the Kings and Warriors:
| Date | Game | Time (ET)/Result | TV channel |
| April 15 | Game 1 | Kings 126, Warriors 123 | ABC |
| April 17 | Game 2 | Kings 114, Warriors 106 | TNT |
| April 20 | Game 3 | Warriors 114, Kings 97 | TNT |
| April 23 | Game 4 | Warriors 126, Kings 125 | ABC |
| April 26 | Game 5 | 10 p.m. at Kings | TNT |
| April 28 | Game 6 | TBD at Warriors | TBD |
| April 30 | Game 7* | TBD at Kings | TBD |
*If necessary