The Warriors have been without their best backcourt defender, Gary Payton II, since he suffered a fractured left elbow early in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals vs. Memphis. However, it appears that Payton is on track to return to the court during the NBA Finals.
Sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium (video link) that Payton is expected to be play in the Finals and could even be available as soon as Game 1 next Thursday.
The Warriors never put out an official announcement estimating Payton’s recovery timeline, but Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports was among those who reported that the 29-year-old was expected to be sidelined for three-to-five weeks — that was a little over three weeks ago. If Payton is able to suit up for Game 1 of the Finals next week, he’ll be 30 days removed from having sustained the injury.
While it remains to be seen whether or not Payton can be as effective as he was before breaking his elbow, he could help the Warriors out significantly on defense if he’s anywhere close to 100%, giving them another option to throw at players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart (if the Celtics advance) or Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Victor Oladipo (if the Heat make a comeback).
As we detailed last weekend, Payton has said there’s no lingering bad blood with Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, whose hard foul resulted in the awkward fall that caused Payton’s injury.
Great news. Hopefully Iggy is healthy & available too but I can’t lie I’ve enjoyed watching the young rooks Kuminga & Moody, esp these past few games
I bet both still get some run even with guys returning from injury. Kuminga has that athleticism that could let him match up with BOS big wings, and Moody has probably earned some run with the second unit. I would expect both to get small min that will increase if they earn them.
The Warriors are a bit of a meritocracy where if you do good things you play and everyone gets a shot at some point.
Iggy has been almost instantly re injured every time he has played for the last like 3 months. 4 min here and back on the shelf. Hopefully he can get back to how he was doing to start the season…
Kuminga def gonna get some pt but if GPII is playing its hard to see Moody in the rotation at all. It would be pretty awesome to see Iggy have at least 1 more good game in the Finals (whether they win the title or not) before he rides off into the sunset
I’m not a GS fan but they have a good squad that’s very deep. Gonna be a problem For another few years
Man… I dont know if anyone can slow down oladipo.
If MIA overcomes injuries causing underperformance to put up any kind of fight, and then win 2 games in a row lols….
These athletes are incredible!
Moody will be a 3 and D player next season
This year playoffs
3-point field goal 54%
Moody is a better 3pt shooter than Poole.
Wiggins 8 years
never injured
never tired
Has more energy than Tatum, Brown and Smart.
Looney 18 rebounds (7+11) in 31 minutes last night
Which of these nba father/son duos is the best, Gary Payton/Gary Payton II, Bill Walton/Luke Walton, Rick Barry/Jon Barry, Larry Nance/Larry Nance Jr, Mychal Thompson/Klay Thompson? Rank if possible..
•Thompsons, lots of rings, #1 overall pick.
•Rick and Brent Barry, all time great.
•Waltons, all-time great but short career or would be #2, several championships.
•Paytons, all-time great
•Nance, dad very good player All Star.
It was Jon Barry (Go Jackets) not Brent in the question but great list tho
I was thinking that Brent had the better career? Pushed the Barrys ahead of The Waltons.
Lol I picked Jon specifically bc Brent had the better career. They’d be hard to argue against w/ Rick & Brent. Brent was better than Mychal & Rick was better than Klay. Brent was much better than Luke & Rick was better than Bill.
Curry father
Otto Porter father Wilt Chamberlain
roy and devyn marble.
Loved that Iowa squad with Roy Devyn Marble a few yrs back. They had a couple other guys that I liked, can’t remember them rn tho. Hawkeyes have had a few of my favorite bball & football players in recent yrs. Desmond King probably my fav football player of the past decade fr
The obvious choice, Del & Steph Curry, isn’t on the list.
Wardell Stephen Curry Jr. & Sr?
Warriors will need him next round. Its going to be a low scoring finals so better have the defense ready to stop the other team.
That’s great news – the Warriors sure could use GPII and Otto Porter!
GSW actually is “light years ahead” this time.