Understanding De’Aaron Fox’s Index Finger Fracture
- Post By: Jeff Stotts
- Date:
- Category: NBA, Understanding...
The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs has been heavily influenced by injury as players like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George have all missed time due to an assortment of ailments. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox added his name to the extensive list on Sunday suffering a finger fracture in the team’s last-second loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Fox’s injury is being described as a left index finger fracture. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided further insight reporting the fractured occurred to the tip of the finger.
Excluding the thumb, each finger of the hand is made up of three bones known as the phalanges with the distal phalanx serving as the tip of each digit. The distal phalanges act as an attachment site for muscles of both the flexors and the extensors, allowing the bones to bend and straighten at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint.
Fractures here occur in a variety of patterns, including open fractures, comminuted fractures, or avulsion fractures. Avulsion fractures occur when one of the muscles that anchor to the distal phalanx pulls away a small piece of the bone. These injuries result in different deformities based on the muscle involved, specifically mallet finger for an extensor injury and jersey finger for a flexor injury.
Time lost for index finger fractures is often dependent on the nature of the break and whether surgery is needed to address any displacement. A trip to the operating room often results in significant time lost. Oddly enough the most recent example of this type of injury is Fox’s teammate Matthew Dellavedova who recently underwent surgery for a broken index finger suffered on March 29. Dellavedova has been seen on the Kings bench still sporting a splint on his injured right hand.
Fortunately, most distal phalanx fractures do not displace. Since the 2005-06 season, the average time lost for index finger fractures treated nonoperatively is 14 days. However, multiple players have played through index finger fractures including Roger Mason Jr. and Kobe Bryant. In both cases the injury was classified as an avulsion fracture. Mason ultimately opted for surgery and was subsequently waived by the Wizards. However, Bryant’s situation is particularly interesting as he suffered the injury twice, once in 2009 and again in 2010. He played through the injury in 09 and missed just a pair of games the following season. Kobe wore a splint on the injured digit for the entirety of Los Angeles’ run to the 2010 title.
Wojnarowski is reporting Fox will be listed as doubtful though he could attempt to play through the injury. If he can suit up, look for Fox to wear some sort of protection on the injured digit. However, the fracture did occur to his shooting hand and a splint would likely negatively impact his touch on the ball.
Fox’s injury is a tough blow for a franchise that returned to the postseason for the first time in 17 years, largely in part to roster continuity throughout the season due to overall good health. Sacramento finished the year with the fewest games lost to injury or illness in the NBA for the second time since 2005. Led by Senior Director of Athlete Health Jas Randhawa and Head Athletic Trainer Joel Noland, the Kings minimized soft tissue injuries and successfully navigated Domantas Sabonis’ thumb fracture in late December. The medical team will hope to continue their success and get Fox back in action as quickly and safely as possible.
UPDATE: Late Monday night the Kings confirmed Fox sustained an avulsion fracture of his index finger, further strengthening the comparison to the injuries of Mason and Kobe.