Gary Payton II‘s long wait to get back on the court with the Warriors will end on Sunday, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Payton has been listed as probable to play against the Timberwolves, and sources tell Haynes that he’ll be ready to go.
Payton was able to scrimmage on Friday and participated fully in Saturday’s light practice, writes Kendra Andrews of ESPN. An official decision may not be made until after warm-ups, but it appears the intention is for Payton to play.
“I’m starting to feel like myself,” he said. “I missed a lot of games this year, so I’m just ready to get back out on the court with the guys and wrap this up for the homestretch.”
After being an important part of Golden State’s title team last season, Payton signed with the Trail Blazers over the summer. The Warriors reached an agreement to bring him back at the trade deadline, but the deal was delayed for three days because Payton had an adductor injury that Golden State claimed the Blazers didn’t disclose. Payton, who hasn’t played since February 8, says he feels good now and he’s ready to contribute.
“Every day getting my body right, a little maintenance, fine-tuning, we had a little extra time to do all of that and get (my body) where it needs to be,” he said.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Russell Westbrook has taken on a mentorship role since signing with the Clippers, according to Janis Carr of The Orange County Register. Westbrook’s main students are young guards Terance Mann and Bones Hyland, who are eager to learn from a future Hall of Famer. “I got so much love and just, just everything for Russ, man. I love watching him play, his energy,” Hyland said. “… He gives it his all. So just being alongside Russ, I learned so much and he’s always in my ear telling me the good things, what he sees out there for me. I’m glad to be a teammate alongside Russ.”
- Clippers coach Tyronn Lue could “remove himself” from the team if things don’t go well in the playoffs, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports suggested in the first episode of his “No Cap Room” podcast. However, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype that Lue, who has multiple years left on his contract, hasn’t engaged in any discussions with management about an early exit.
- Mike Brown, who’s among the favorites for Coach of the Year honors, said the award would be important because of the recognition it would bring to the Kings and the city of Sacramento (video link).
My prediction yesterday
Lakers 6th seed
Clippers are a play-in team
Its possible that Clippers miss the playoffs.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue could “remove himself” from the team if things don’t go well in the playoffs
Clippers would have to fall awfully hard awfully fast to not make the playoffs.
Ty Lue will replace Steve Kerr when Lacob doesn’t pay Myers. KD will return to GSW shortly after. More titles on the way.
Mike Brown IS COY .. I mean DUh!
The more Ish people talk about Sac the dumber those people look.
Kings will handle all in the west except for Golden State, phoenix ( only if KD is back and on one ). In the east Mil, Bos, Philly all sadly would beat the Kangz . Fox’s hamstring could also make this post seem EVEN more irrelevant than it already is too so who knows .
Westbrick is NOT a future hall of famer
Of course he is.
Westbrook made the hall of fame in his first 10 seasons. Not going to be hard for an MVP that averaged a triple double for a season to get inducted.
1 of 2 players to ever do so, pretty tough to not induct Russ.
Positive, Negative, publicity is publicity. Russ gets a lot of it.
Jokic, Westbrook and Harden MUST hand their MVP’s to Curry.
If Curry wins a ring, or even makes the Finals vs another player not in contention, how can another player be “more valuable” to their team, if their team did not win a ring?
This is pure fact. Those are 4 MVP’s that go to Steph Curry. Period. Curry should have 6 MVPs.
You gotta be young because your writing appears that way…
That’s not an answer, which lends to me not changing my mind, but thanks for the warm welcome.
When realism, logic, and rationality grace your comments, I’ll promise to be warmer towards your comments.
Disagreeing isn’t mean, or contemptuous, its just disagreeing
MVP is a REGULAR SEASON AWARD nimwit!
Payton needs to get his hungry mind back. He needs to play like he’s on a 10 day contract and fighting for his nba livelihood.
What are you referencing here? He has barely played all year and when he did the Blazers forced him to play injured. He sure seemed hungry in last seasons NBA Finals???
Forced him to play injured?
I have a bridge for sale too…
Yeah, he played like half as good as he did last year, thats due to injury, do you know how the body works? Apparently not.
You have replied to me twice with no real answer…
The 2 biggest games of the regular season of whats left:
GSW vs DEN in DEN
GSW vs SAC in SAC
If GSW wins both of those after being horrendous on the road all year, that will deal crushing mental blows to the Nugs and Kings, a week before the playoffs.