Warriors guard Gary Payton II suffered a fractured left elbow in the team’s second-round series against the Grizzlies, but he could still return next round, head coach Steve Kerr said on Sunday. Payton sustained the injury on May 3 and was given a three-to-five-week return timetable.
“We’re not ruling him out of the whole conference finals,” Kerr said, as relayed by Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link). “We’re not saying he’s going to play either.”
Kerr admitted it’s a “long shot” that Payton returns in the Western Finals, but suggested it’s still a possibility. Payton has served as a key cog in the Warriors’ rotation this season. In 71 games, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals, playing 17.6 minutes per contest.
Payton received his first career playoff start in the game before he was injured. The Warriors assigned him to be Ja Morant‘s primary defender, but Payton sustained the injury less than three minutes into Game 2. He’s considered to be one of the best defenders on Golden State’s roster.
The Warriors will open their next series against the Suns or Mavericks on Wednesday. If Phoenix advances, Golden State will start on the road, but if Dallas advances, the team will open the series at home.
Save him for NBA Finals
Warriors need Payton to defeat Suns
At least Payton needs to play 3 games
Payton is more important than Poole or Porter
3P from bench can take down any East team
Payton will be ready next season to help beat the stinking Suns.
Sign Payton to an extension ASAP. It’s well deserving for a deserving player…
“payton received his first career playoff start in the game he was injured.” close, almost had it.
They need Iguodala and/or Payton in the matchup against Dallas
GSW 4-1 (or 4-2) over Luka
Bs mavs beat gsw 3 1 with curry this season
Regular season doesn’t mean anything at this point.
Warriors were missing Klay or Draymond in every matchup with Dallas this season. It’s going to be a rough matchup for GS, but Dallas hasn’t seen them full strength either.
Hopper, So did Denver and Memphis
Sorry this was actually for dale
GP2 has to be extremely careful about playing again. He has nothing to gain by playing hurt as he already has made a great impression in nba. It’s the most critical contract yr for GP2.
Nothing to gain… except playing in the NBA Finals and wearing a ring he directly contributed to winning.
Well said, I agree. He does have to be careful because it’s his livelihood.