Warriors’ Gary Payton II “On Track” For Game 1 Return

Warriors defensive ace Gary Payton II is “on track” to return to action for Game 1 of the Finals against Boston on Thursday night, sources tell Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Slater cautions (via Twitter) that Payton might not return to the rotation immediately, but his availability gives coach Steve Kerr another option to utilize going forward. Slater adds that “there’s optimism” Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. will be available for Game 1 as well.

Payton has been sidelined since May 3 after suffering a fractured left elbow in Game 2 of the Warriors’ second-round series against Memphis. Reports surfaced that he’d miss approximately three-to-five weeks at the time, and last Friday Charania and Slater said Payton was expected to be available for the Finals, possibly as soon as Game 1.

Iguodala, the 2014/15 Finals MVP, has been out even longer, last playing in Game 4 of Golden State’s first-round matchup with Denver on April 24 due to a left cervical disc injury (neck). The 38-year-old veteran was limited to 31 regular season games this season while dealing with a variety of ailments.

Porter’s left foot soreness is more recent, popping up during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Dallas on May 22. All three players were listed as questionable after going through contact at practice yesterday.

The Warriors’ depth has shone throughout the playoffs, with all 14 players (minus injured center James Wiseman) receiving minutes this postseason, so potentially having a (nearly) full complement of players will be huge boon as Golden State attempts to win its fourth title in the past eight years.