Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox will both play in Spurs-Thunder Game 3; Jalen Williams out

SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs have their guards back, as both Dylan Harper (right adductor) and De’Aaron Fox (right ankle) were cleared to return for Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Friday night.

Meanwhile, Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who reinjured a hamstring in Game 2, is officially out for Game 3. Williams went through his full pregame workout, even hoisting a few more shots after he’d dapped up all the coaches and ball boys. He’s still considered day to day, with Game 4 on Sunday.

This will be Fox’s series debut, as he has recovered from a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Spurs’ second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fox finished the series on the bad ankle but sat out the first two games of this series in Oklahoma. Coach Mitch Johnson said this injury would have sidelined him during the regular season and that he was likely a game-time decision from here on out.

Harper landed awkwardly in Game 2 against the Thunder and missed the remainder of the game. He attempted to return to the bench before being turned away by the training staff and hanging his head in disappointment.

The Spurs’ half-court offense has struggled without Fox in this series against the Thunder’s ball pressure. The Spurs committed at least 20 turnovers in the first two games, something they had done only once since mid-November. Steph Castle has taken over full-time point guard duties; while he has played at a high level on both ends, he’s also committed 20 turnovers across the two games.

With Fox and Harper returning, Castle can go back to his normal share of the playmaking duties and allow the Spurs to always have multiple creators on the floor to find Victor Wembanyama near the rim.

Williams, a four-year veteran out of Santa Clara, was an All-Star in the 2024-25 season when he averaged a career-best 21.6 points, along with 5.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He tore a ligament in his right wrist before Oklahoma City’s title run last season, which required multiple surgeries after the playoffs.