Is De'Aaron Fox playing tonight vs. Pelicans, injury update

The San Antonio Spurs are listing De’Aaron Fox as available tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, marking his long-awaited season debut.

Fox’s return has been a long time coming for Spurs fans — and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Rookie guard Dylan Harper is expected to miss the next two to four weeks with a left calf strain, leaving Stephon Castle to handle most of the point guard duties in his absence. With Fox back in the mix, San Antonio can finally shift him into the starting lineup and balance the minutes between the two young guards more strategically.

Fox logged just 17 games with the Spurs last season after a frustrating series of injuries sidelined him for most of the year. When healthy, the 27-year-old guard made a clear impact, averaging 19.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 44.6% shooting across 34 minutes per game. His explosiveness in transition and ability to control the game’s tempo were exactly what San Antonio envisioned when they traded for him.

The veteran guard initially hinted that his debut would come against the Houston Rockets on Friday night but ultimately took an extra day to recover, avoiding a back-to-back appearance. The decision now looks like a calculated move by the team to ensure Fox is fully ready for sustained play moving forward.

Fans are understandably eager to see Fox back alongside Victor Wembanyama, with the duo having shared the floor for only five games last season. The Spurs went 2-3 in those contests, though the flashes of chemistry between the two offered a glimpse into their long-term potential.

San Antonio has quietly become one of the league’s most entertaining teams, holding a 6-2 record through eight games and opening the year on a franchise-best 5-0 start. Despite dealing with injuries to Jeremy Sochan, Luke Kornet, and Fox, the Spurs are inching closer to a fully healthy roster.

If the Spurs are this good now, just wait until De’Aaron Fox steps on the hardwood — and reminds everyone exactly why San Antonio traded for him in the first place.

More Spurs news:

• Why De’Aaron Fox isn’t playing tonight for Spurs with updated injury return news 
• San Antonio’s collapse vs. Lakers shows how much the Spurs need De’Aaron Fox
• Victor Wembanyama was bullying Bronny James in Spurs battle vs. Lakers
• Spurs, NBA announce unreal Victor Wembanyama stat before battle vs. Lakers, Luka Doncic