De’Aaron Fox still bothered by knee injury, but it’s getting better

With only one game left in the regular season, De’Aaron Fox is just trying to get healthy before postseason play begins.

Between the bruised knee suffered last week, an ankle injury suffered in January, and an illness he battled in early February, Fox has been unable to fully practice for much of the past month. He’s only missed two games, but it’s been clear he’s not 100 when he’s on the court.

Even so, 70-80% of Fox is still one of the better point guards in college basketball, and we already saw how good he was earlier in the season when closer to 100%. That’s where Fox is inching closer towards as the regular season winds down and March Madness begins.

“It’s really close. I’ve been in treatment every day,” Fox said during Thursday’s meeting with the media. “No telling, but I’m able to play, I’m able to run.”

Even though Fox has missed so much practice time over the past month in addition to the two games, it allowed him to see the game from a different perspective more, which he hopes helps him now that March is here.

“Just seeing the game differently, it really slows down when you’re not playing,” said Fox. “Just seeing stuff, being able to talk to my teammates and knowing what I need to look for when I get out there.”

Another benefit Fox’ injury has had is Dominique Hawkins taking on a bigger role as the season has worn on. Hawkins has topped 20-plus minutes in six of his last nine games after hitting that mark just five times in his first 21 games this season.

And it’s become clear that Hawkins is the superior defender and someone that needs to get 20-plus minutes every game, even at times when Fox is on the floor.