For the fifth game of their 2026 Western Conference semifinals series facing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, the San Antonio Spurs have designated backcourt players De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper as questionable.
On Monday, the Spurs declared Fox’s questionable status due to a tender right ankle. Harper was subsequently added to San Antonio’s injury roster on Tuesday in the afternoon, suffering from left knee discomfort.
Game 5, commencing at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, will see Fox’s participation determined just before tip-off. Harper, present at San Antonio’s Tuesday morning practice session as reported by Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, is also anticipated to be a pre-game decision. The best-of-seven contest currently stands even at two victories each.
Experienced guard Fox has encountered difficulties when challenged by the Timberwolves’ tenacious defensive efforts. Across the initial quartet of games in this second-round matchup, the two-time All-Star has recorded averages of 16.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 turnovers across 32.8 minutes per contest, while achieving a field goal percentage of 37.9% and a 3-point success rate of 22.2%.
Harper, conversely, has excelled. The second overall selection from the 2025 NBA Draft held last June has provided significant contributions from the Spurs’ reserve unit, posting averages of 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals over 24.5 minutes per game, alongside a 55% shooting accuracy from the floor.
The youthful 20-year-old amassed 24 points, along with 7 rebounds and 3 steals, in 27 minutes during Game 4; this included 13 points in the latter half as the Spurs endeavored to cope with the absence of MVP finalist Victor Wembanyama, who was ejected in the second quarter for elbowing Minnesota’s towering player Naz Reid. However, despite San Antonio establishing an eight-point advantage in the third period, the Wolves mounted a fierce comeback, fueled by a brilliant fourth quarter from superstar Anthony Edwards, securing a 114-109 victory, which leveled the seven-game series at two wins each and prepared the groundwork for a three-game dash to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals.
Wembanyama will be available for the Spurs on Tuesday, following the NBA’s decision to forego imposing further financial penalties or disciplinary actions for his contact with Reid. The focus now shifts to discovering which players from San Antonio’s impressive guard rotation will accompany him.
