Gary Payton II is out for Golden State’s win-or-go-home game against Sacramento Tuesday. If they win, he’s not available for Friday’s game either.
The Golden State Warriors could really use defensive ace Gary Payton II to slow down De’Aaron Fox in Tuesday’s play-in game. Unfortunately, they’re not going to have him.
Gary Payton II (calf strain) will be out for Tuesday’s play-in game in Sacramento and also, if applicable, the Warriors’ second play-in game, per Steve Kerr
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) April 15, 2024
GPII’s calf strain will keep him out of the Warriors’ quixotic quest for the No. 8 seed this week. He won’t play Tuesday against the Kings, nor will he play Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans or Los Angeles Lakers, should the Warriors get past their NorCal neighbors.
Injuries have limited Payton to just 44 games this season. He’s missed games due to problems with his fingers, feet, calves, ankles, and hamstrings this year, as well as two different illnesses. Payton has been a little less effective offensively this season due to a slight downturn in his shooting, but he’s been a huge positive on the defensive end.
The Warriors reacquired Payton last year for James Wiseman at the trade deadline, and he returned from injury just in time to average 16 minutes in 12 playoff games. GPII logged 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 82% on two-pointers.
Now they’ll have to replace his minutes with some combination of Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody. It’s tough to match the Kings’ speed, especially with Fox at point guard, but the Warriors are fortunate enough to miss Malik Monk, who will miss the game with a sprained MCL.
The only consolation for Warriors fans is that it gives Payton the freedom to shine in the other area he excels, besides perimeter defense: Being Mic’d Up. The calf strain might prevent him from serving drinks, however.
Gary Payton II mic’d up as he politely replaces a fan’s beverage: very wholesome content. pic.twitter.com/1U9ANcAYm1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 14, 2021