Kings’ De’Aaron Fox suffers “moderate sprain” of right ankle, will miss time

During the third quarter, a dramatic moment occurred that seemed to signal the end of the game for De’Aaron Fox of the Kings. As he made a drive, Fox accidentally stepped on Gabe Vincent’s foot from the Lakers and twisted his ankle, causing it to bend unnaturally.

Despite the injury, Fox remarkably returned to the game and contributed 13 more points, helping the Kings secure a victory over the Lakers in overtime. Unfortunately, once the game ended and Fox’s ankle began to swell, it became evident that he would likely miss some time. Although the Kings have yet to make an official statement, multiple reports suggest that Fox has sustained a “moderate” ankle sprain. This update was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

While the term “moderate” leaves room for interpretation, KTXL’s Sean Cunningham offers a glimmer of hope by suggesting that Fox might only be sidelined for a week. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if his absence extends beyond that timeframe.

Fox, an All-Star player, has been performing exceptionally well this season, averaging 31.3 points and six assists per game in the three games played so far. He is also shooting a career-best 37.5% from beyond the arc, contributing to the Kings’ strong start with a 2-1 record.

Furthermore, the Kings have struggled when Fox is off the court, being outscored by 11.9 points per 100 possessions. Although it’s still early in the season and the effectiveness of backup guard Davion Mitchell remains to be seen, the team becomes more vulnerable until Fox makes his return.