Simply when the Golden State Warriors wanted all fingers on deck for the ultimate stretch of the season, they took a serious hit. Gary Payton Jr., a vital defensive presence, has suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb, dealing a crushing blow to the Warriors’ already shaky playoff hopes.
The timing couldn’t be worse—Golden State is in the course of a six-game street journey and a heated playoff race, barely holding onto the seventh seed within the Western Convention.
Payton isn’t simply one other function participant; he’s their defensive engine. And now, with simply 10 video games left within the common season, the Warriors have misplaced certainly one of their most dependable defenders.
ESPN’s Shams Charania Offers Updates On Payton
The information, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, is one other intestine punch for a group already coping with Stephen Curry’s lingering accidents and a brutal upcoming schedule.
The veteran analyst reported that Payton will likely be out for an indefinite interval.
“Golden State Warriors G/F Gary Payton II has sustained a torn ligament in his left thumb and will likely be out for an indefinite interval, sources inform ESPN. Brutal blow to the Warriors’ rotation,” Charania wrote on X.
Payton performed 20 minutes within the Warriors’ 112-86 loss to the Miami Warmth on Tuesday (March 25), ending with 4 factors and 7 rebounds earlier than being dominated out. Whereas his offensive numbers don’t bounce off the web page, his presence on protection has been invaluable—particularly with Curry sitting out video games as a consequence of a pelvis contusion.
The Warriors (41-31) are at present battling with the Clippers for the No. 6 seed, hoping to keep away from the dreaded play-in match. However shedding Payton—on high of Curry’s lingering points—couldn’t have come at a worse time. With upcoming matchups towards the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, the street forward simply acquired an entire lot harder.
They’ve misplaced two straight and three of their final 5 video games, and now, they’ll need to face that brutal stretch with out Payton. To make issues worse, Curry remains to be questionable for Friday’s (March 28) recreation towards the New Orleans Pelicans as a consequence of a pelvis contusion. With their playoff hopes on the road, the Warriors desperately want somebody to step up.
Steve Kerr Calls On Jonathan Kuminga
With Payton sidelined, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is seeking to Jonathan Kuminga to tackle a much bigger defensive function.
“It opens up a possibility for (Jonathan Kuminga) to be that defensive stopper—the man we’ve relied on Gary (Payton II) to be,” Kerr mentioned. “JK is the apparent man to placed on one of the best offensive participant, decide up full, harass individuals like Gary does. I’m gonna ask JK to do this, and it undoubtedly opens up extra minutes for him if he’s efficient with that.”
Kuminga has had a powerful season, averaging 16.3 factors, 4.6 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists. However now, this isn’t nearly stats—it’s about proving he can step up when the Warriors want him most.
With the playoffs on the road, Curry’s standing unsure, and the Warriors’ protection taking a serious hit, Kuminga has an opportunity to indicate he’s greater than only a younger expertise.
