Devin Vassell got into a heated altercation with Ajay Mitchell in the third quarter after the Thunder’s second foul on Stephon Castle within a matter of minutes, where on both plays the former Rookie of the Year could have seriously injured himself.

Following the game, Devin Vassell spoke to the media and addressed the altercation that broke out. “Just have my teammates back. That’s my brother. The first play, it’s a basketball play, you try and make a play, but I mean two times in a row he’s about to go for a dunk, it just looked like he pushed him. That could be a dangerous play, so I just want to have my teammates back.”

How the altercation was resolved

The play was ruled a flagrant foul on Ajay Mitchell for pushing Castle in the back while he was in the air, making it an unnecessary play. Additionally, Mitchell and Vassell received a double technical foul, and the game continued with two free throws and possession for the Spurs.

On both possessions, the Thunder players did everything they could to stop Castle from going up for a fastbreak dunk or layup. However, Vassell felt that there was a certain level of hostility and recklessness on the second play.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s the playoffs, it’s a lot of stuff that physicality, grabbing, holding, all that, and all that just builds up. So it’s a lot of, I guess, a little bit of animosity building up, and I’m cool with that.”

Vassell’s great performance

Vassell’s solid start was pivotal in the Spurs’ 15-0 start to the game; however, he could not sustain the rhythm throughout the night as the defending NBA champions, the Thunder, eventually bounced back and stole Game 3 with a 123-108 win.

The 25-year-old wing ended the game with 20 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists, while going 6-12 from the field (50.0 FG%) and 3-6 from the three-point range (50.0 3P%).

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson expects both De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

A stout backcourt should give the Spurs a better chance of prevailing in what feels like a must-win contest at the Frost Bank Center. Fox made his series debut on Friday after nursing an ankle injury and scored 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds and six assists in a 123-108 loss. He suffered a setback in the third quarter but returned a few minutes later.

Harper pushed through an adductor issue and totaled six points on 2-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes of action. Ideally, both guards will look like their normal selves the next time out.

The complicated situation for the Spurs

There will be a palpable sense of desperation permeating the building. Common sense dictates that no team, including a 62-20 Spurs squad, can defeat OKC three straight times, so Johnson must construct a sensible game plan. Fox and Harper would presumably be important components of that blueprint.

The former ranked second on the team in scoring and assists during the regular season and is an established veteran star who can ease the burden on Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. The latter can attack the rim and force turnovers. If they fulfill their usual responsibilities, San Antonio should have a good opportunity to tie the NBA series.

In Game 4, what could be the first definitive turning point of the series is at stake. If OKC win, it would establish a 3-1 lead against the Spurs, something that is highly difficult to overcome, especially against this team that is incredibly tough to beat. If the Spurs win, we have a long series ahead with the scent of a Game 7.

“It’s my first playoffs, it’s the first playoffs for many of us. Of course there was going to be hard trials you know, it’s to be expected,” Wembanyama stated during his post-game availability. He remained optimistic about the challenge ahead, noting that despite the current scoreboard, the team is entering a phase where “now we’re going to see what we’re made of.”

Wembanyama was particularly self-critical regarding his impact on the rest of the roster during the Game 3 defeat. “I feel like I have trouble making my teammates better right now… I need to be more of a team player,” he admitted, pointing out that the Thunder’s veteran poise and physical play have forced him to rethink his approach.

Can the Spurs recover from this hole?

San Antonio currently finds itself in a precarious position after losing home-court advantage to a Thunder squad that looks incredibly disciplined. Head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted the difficulty of the situation, noting that the team got ahead of themselves while trying to close the gap, and admitted that “that’s a tough team to play out of a hole against.”

To turn the series around, the Spurs will need to significantly tighten their rotations and find a way to counter the Thunder’s physical defense, which Wembanyama described as being “more smart about it” due to their experience. Adjusting to that physicality will be the primary focus for San Antonio as they look to steal a win on the road.

Winning Game 4 is non-negotiable for San Antonio if they hope to avoid a 3-1 hole that historically few teams have ever escaped. Wembanyama emphasized that while Oklahoma City has the edge in experience right now, the Spurs simply “got to find the answers” immediately to ensure their historic 2025-26 NBA playoff run doesn’t come to an abrupt end.

“I don’t expect their fans to love me. It’s not how it works. They want their team to win. It’s that simple,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted during his post-game press conference. He maintained a calm demeanor despite being targeted by the crowd every time he touched the ball.

When asked if the aggressive Spurs environment served as extra motivation, Shai was quick to dismiss the impact of the crowd’s antics on his performance. “It does nothing. Doesn’t fuel me, doesn’t discourage me. I’ve been dealing with it for a long time. I don’t really hear it,” he explained.

The fan pressure didn’t work

The noise certainly didn’t slow down the Thunder‘s offense, which saw Shai rack up 26 points and 12 assists while his team’s bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves. Oklahoma City has successfully turned the defensive intensity up a notch, swarming Victor Wembanyama and holding the French star to 8-of-15 shooting.

By utilizing a physical, multi-layered defensive scheme, the Thunder have managed to disrupt the Spurs’ rhythm and force secondary options like Devin Vassell into difficult shots. The strategy has effectively neutralized the “Wemby factor” for long stretches, allowing Oklahoma City to regain control of the series.

Looking ahead, a win in Game 4 would give the Thunder a commanding 3-1 lead, making their potential return to the Paycom Center a massive advantage to close out the series and return to the NBA Finals as title defenders.

The official status of OKC forward Jalen Williams for Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday is out, as he is struggling to a left hamstring soreness.

Williams exited the first quarter of Game 2 on Wednesday and did not return. The Thunder ultimately secured a 122-113 home win to tie the Western Conference Finals series at 1-1. Unfortunately for OKC, the Spurs will have De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper available for the game.

What happened to Williams?

Williams suffered a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring during Game 2 of the first round for the Thunder against Phoenix on April 22. He returned for the series opener against San Antonio on Monday, but he now runs the risk of missing more time.

With Williams unable to play on Friday, Ajay Mitchell will take on a larger role. The second-year guard started all four second-round games against the Los Angeles Lakers during Williams’ absence, averaging 22.5 points and six assists.

Jalen Williams scored 26 points and pulled down seven rebounds, showing signs of the player who put up 21.4 points per game during last year’s NBA championship run, while his role on the team is to serve as the second option behind Shai Gilgeous Alexander.

Williams’ situation

According to Shams Charania, he will be evaluated day to day and game to game. “It’s a recurring injury. If you think about it, Pat, the opposite leg, the right hamstring, he had two strains of the hamstring on that side as well during the course of the season that he missed four weeks at one point and six weeks at another point, so he’s been dealing with hamstring injuries on both legs. It appears more unlikely than likely that he plays in Game 3 tonight.”

Harper will available for Game 3. Harper, who was listed as questionable due to right adductor soreness, went to a pregame routine for the team to decide on his status, ESPN reported.

This was bad news for the Spurs, but fortunately they also got good news on De’Aaron Fox, who will be available for Game 3 against OKC. De’Aaron is set to debut in the best-of-seven series after missing the first two games due to a right ankle sprain.

What happened to Harper?

In the third quarter of Wednesday night’s Game 2 of the series at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, rising Spurs star Dylan Harper appeared to have suffered a lower-body injury while trying to attack the Thunder’s interior defense. Dylan Harper hurt his right adductor in Game 2. After that action, Harper was forced to exit in the third quarter and did not return.

Before he left the game, Harper scored 12 points on an efficient 5-for-10 shooting from the field, all inside the arc, to go along with two rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes.

In the Spurs’ 122-115 double-overtime win in Game 1 versus the Thunder, he had 24 points and 11 rebounds to go with six assists and seven steals in 47 minutes. In addition, this indicates that Stephon Castle will face an increased minutes load if Harper is ruled out.

The complicated situation for the Spurs

The Spurs could see both Harper and Fox play after they dealt with injuries at a crucial point in the season. Now San Antonio needs their two main ball handlers, but also does not want to risk further health concerns in this series and a potential NBA Finals series.

“He has the ability to do things that we haven’t seen in our league ever,” James remarked during a Mind The Game interview. LeBron noted that Wembanyama‘s maturity is evident in his approach to the professional game, adding, “You could tell by the way he talks, you could tell by his demeanor, like you know he knows the game.“

James also pointed out the historical luck of the Spurs franchise in landing transformative big men throughout the decades. “San Antonio continues to get lucky as f— with these generational, talented, IQ, smart guys,” he said, specifically referencing the lineage that includes Hall of Famers David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Is Wemby the future for the Spurs?

LeBron is particularly impressed by the “horse blinders” mentality Wembanyama shares with past Spurs legends, noting that for Victor, “the mission is the mission, and that is all that matters.” This dead-serious focus has already translated into historic production, with the young center averaging over 25 points and 11.5 rebounds in the 2025-26 season.

Wembanyama has almost single-handedly revitalized the San Antonio defense, leading the NBA in blocks and forcing opponents to completely abandon the paint. His ability to hit step-back threes at his height makes him a matchup nightmare that even a veteran like James admits is “pretty remarkable to see” in person.

If Wembanyama can continue this trajectory, he is expected to push the Spurs back into championship contention much faster than typical rebuilding timelines suggest. With the front office focused on surrounding him with elite playmakers, the “Wemby era” looks set to dominate the Western Conference for the next decade and beyond.

He didn’t play in Game 1 and 2 after re-aggravating the issue earlier in the playoffs, leaving his availability dependent on pregame testing and swelling response. Mitch Johnson‘s team took a cautious approach with him, but fortunately he recovered for Game 3.

The Spurs made the final decision close to tip-off, while the Thunder continued to adjust their defensive game plan around the possibility of facing or avoiding San Antonio’s primary perimeter creator.

How and when did De’Aaron Fox get injured?

De’Aaron Fox was dealing with a right ankle sprain that was aggravated during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, forcing him to miss multiple games for the San Antonio Spurs against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

He originally picked up the injury during the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves and later re-aggravated it late in the postseason, which led to him being ruled out for Game 1 and also missing Game 2.

The Spurs treated the situation as a day-to-day issue, but the recurring nature of the ankle sprain has made his availability highly uncertain still despite the Game 3 return. Even after attempting pregame warmups, they ultimately decided to hold him out to avoid further risk during a tightly contested playoff series.

How has De’Aaron Fox been playing with the Spurs?

De’Aaron Fox has been one of the key offensive engines for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 playoffs, averaging strong production as a primary ball-handler and scorer when healthy.

He was consistently contributing across points, assists and transition creation alongside Victor Wembanyama. When on the court, he provides elite speed in transition and pressure in isolation situations.

Jalen Williams exited Game 2 in the first quarter with 1:34 remaining and never came back, and the update doesn’t sound good. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Williams will be evaluated day to day, game to game, with a left hamstring injury. He will undergo treatment, and his return will be determined entirely by how his body responds to the recovery process.

It sounds like Williams has a chance to be available for Game 3 on Friday, but it’s still unclear if he’s dealing only with soreness or another strain. If he’s unable to gut it out Friday, Isaiah Joe, Jared McCain, and especially Ajay Mitchell would all be candidates for increased roles.

Something that already happened to Jalen

The main problem is that this is the second injury to the same hamstring in less than a month, making the situation considerably more uncertain than a typical medical report would indicate.

Williams originally suffered a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring in Game 2 of the first round against the Phoenix Suns, missing six games before returning for the series opener.

He played 27 minutes before the Thunder lost in double overtime, and his recovery seemed to be progressing well until Wednesday night, when Williams was receiving treatment on his left hamstring midway through the game, and the Thunder subsequently announced that he was ruled out for the remainder of Game 2 due to hamstring tightness.

Before the start of this season, Williams had already dealt with a wrist injury suffered during last year’s playoffs, in which they won the title, and he has now suffered three distinct hamstring injuries throughout the 2025-26 season.

Jalen’s numbers

Williams averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 48.4% shooting during the regular NBA season, and had scored 20 or more points in two of his three playoff appearances before Wednesday’s exit.

San Antonio is still holding out hope that the All-Star guard could return as the series shifts deeper into what many around the league expect to become a classic postseason battle.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters this week that the 28-year-old guard was going to be evaluated closer to tipoff, and despite appearing on court on Wednesday morning, he was ruled out minutes before the game.

What injury does De’Aaron Fox have?

De’Aaron Fox is dealing with right ankle soreness in this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The San Antonio Spurs officially listed the All-Star guard as questionable after he missed Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, ánd then ruled him out for Game 2.

He suffered the ankle issue during Game 4 of the Spurs’ second-round playoff series against the Timberwolves. The injury has continued to bother him throughout the postseason, forcing the Spurs to closely monitor his workload.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson explained that the injury is unlikely to fully heal during the playoffs because of the short turnaround between games. Instead, the team has focused on treatment, recovery sessions and managing his pain level.

How long has De’Aaron Fox been out?

De’Aaron Fox has missed two playoff games because of his ankle injury. The Spurs guard sat out Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals after aggravating the issue during the previous round and then missed Game 2.

Before the injury, he had been one of San Antonio’s most important playoff performers alongside Victor Wembanyama. His absence immediately became one of the biggest storylines entering the Thunder series.

San Antonio still managed to steal Game 1 on the road despite Fox being unavailable. Rookie Dylan Harper stepped into a larger offensive role, while Wembanyama delivered a historic 41-point, 24-rebound performance in the double-overtime win.

Who starts for the Spurs if De’Aaron Fox is out?

Rookie guard Dylan Harper is expected to continue starting for the Spurs if De’Aaron Fox cannot play the series. Harper took on a major role in Game 1 and responded with one of the best postseason performances by a rookie.

San Antonio may also continue staggering Harper and Castle throughout the game to compensate for Fox’s absence as the team’s lead creator. The Spurs’ likely starting lineup without him would include:

• Dylan Harper
• Devin Vassell
• Stephon Castle
• Harrison Barnes
• Victor Wembanyama

What are De’Aaron Fox’s stats in the 2026 NBA Playoffs?

De’Aaron Fox has been one of the Spurs’ most productive players during the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Before his ankle injury, he played a major role in San Antonio’s deep postseason run through the Western Conference bracket.

During the playoffs, he has averaged 23 points per game, 6 assists per game and 5 rebounds per game. His speed in transition and ability to create offense late in possessions became especially important during the Spurs’ series wins.

Fox also developed strong chemistry with Victor Wembanyama after arriving in San Antonio. The duo quickly became one of the NBA’s most dangerous pick-and-roll combinations, giving the Spurs another elite offensive weapon.

Is De’Aaron Fox on a minutes restriction tonight?

The Spurs won’t have De’Aaron Fox for Game 2, meaning that a minutes restriction is not even necessary. However, San Antonio is expected to monitor his recovery carefully to see if he can return eventually in the series against Oklahoma City.

Fox entered the game officially listed as questionable, and head coach Mitch Johnson indicated the decision would largely depend on how the guard feels during pregame testing and warmups. Apparently, he was unable to feel completely comfortable to play.

Because the ankle injury is not fully healed, the Spurs could choose to limit Fox’s minutes beyond Game 2 or avoid overextending him during long stretches, especially after the exhausting double-overtime opener in Game 1.

Fox continues dealing with right ankle soreness after playing through discomfort during the Spurs’ second-round series. Kornet, meanwhile, is managing left foot soreness after emerging as an important frontcourt piece during the playoffs.

With OKC entering the series fully healthy following Jalen Williams’ return, San Antonio’s injury uncertainty has suddenly added even more intrigue to a matchup already viewed around the NBA as a potential preview of the league’s future.

How and when did De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet get injured?

De’Aaron Fox injured his right ankle during the Spurs’ second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Luke Kornet has been dealing with left foot soreness entering the Western Conference Finals.

Fox suffered the ankle injury during Game 4 against Minnesota after a collision while attacking the basket in the second half. Despite the pain, he remained in the game and finished with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes.

The injury quickly became a major concern because San Antonio’s offense heavily depends on his playmaking and scoring ability alongside Victor Wembanyama. He continued playing through the injury during the remainder of the series.

Kornet’s injury situation developed differently. He has been managing lingering soreness in his left foot throughout the playoffs, an issue that worsened during the Minnesota series because of the physical demands around the paint.

When will De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet return to play?

De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet are both considered day-to-day and could return at any point. Neither injury is currently viewed as season-ending, although the Spurs are expected to continue evaluating both players game by game.

Fox has made it clear internally that he wants to continue playing despite the ankle soreness. The Spurs benefited from several extra days of rest after eliminating Minnesota in six games, giving him additional treatment time.

San Antonio’s medical staff remains cautious because ankle injuries can easily worsen during long playoff series. Still, league insiders expect Fox to attempt to play as long as swelling and mobility remain manageable.

Kornet’s timeline also appears relatively short term. Reports describe the issue as soreness management rather than structural damage, which is why the veteran center has continued participating in limited basketball activities.

How has De’Aaron Fox performed this season?

De’Aaron Fox has been one of the Spurs’ most important players this season and helped transform San Antonio into a legitimate championship contender. After arriving from Sacramento, he immediately became one of the offense’s leaders.

He averaged nearly 20 points and close to seven assists per game after joining San Antonio, giving the Spurs another elite perimeter scorer capable of creating offense late in games. His speed in transition added a different dimension.

The former Kings star also earned his second career NBA All-Star selection during the 2025-26 season after being named as an injury replacement in the roster. His impact in San Antonio was immediate both statistically and culturally.

During the playoffs, he continued producing despite battling injuries. He averaged 18.7 points and 5.6 assists through the postseason while helping San Antonio eliminate Portland and Minnesota on the road to the conference finals.

How important is Luke Kornet to the Spurs’ roster?

Luke Kornet has become an important rotation piece for the Spurs because of his rim protection, size and defensive versatility off the bench. While he is not one of the team’s stars, his role has grown significantly during San Antonio’s playoff run.

At 7-foot-2, he gives the team valuable frontcourt depth whenever Wembanyama leaves the floor. His presence allowes the team to maintain interior size and defensive stability with the second unit.

The veteran center’s best postseason performance came in the closeout win over Minnesota, when he recorded four blocks and altered multiple shots around the basket. Even without putting up huge scoring numbers, his defensive impact helped San Antonio control key stretches of the game.

His experience has also been valuable inside a locker room built around younger stars. The Spurs rely heavily on emerging players like Castle and Harper, making dependable veterans increasingly important during deep playoff runs.