SAN FRANCISCO — Gary Payton II was ten minutes into his second game back from a month-long calf strain when another injury struck.
Picking up Orlando’s Cole Anthony full court, Payton’s left leg buckled as he fell to the floor. He threw his headband and limped immediately to the locker room. The team ruled him out mid-way through the third quarter with a left hamstring strain.
The extent of the injury and his availability moving forward is to be determined, but his teammates feel the oft-injured Payton’s frustrations.
Shortly after the Warriors’ 121-115 win, Payton shared his frustrations with a post on X a scene from the Dave Chapelle movie “Half Baked” in which the character says, “Man, this is some (expletive).”
“I felt bad for him because ever since last year he’s been working really hard to get his body where it needs to be to play the way he wants to play and impact the game the way he can,” Steph Curry said. “It’s unfortunate these injuries pop up that take his availability away.”
Payton, 31, had missed 18 of the Warriors’ 33 games this year with numerous injuries. He missed three games in November dealing with an ankle sprain sustained when he landed awkwardly on an opposing player’s foot and missed 13 games with a calf strain injured against the Sacramento Kings on Nov. 28.
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Golden State needing desperately a boost from Payton’s strong on-ball defense was relieved for his return against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. He played nine restricted minutes, blocking Luka Doncic but also committed a bad personal foul beyond the three point line.
Tuesday, he was getting back into his groove; a plus-10 in just over 10 minute with a block, four rebounds and three personal fouls until the injury. Payton’s injury comes at a time when the Warriors are searching for some defensive connectivity with Draymond Green, the defense’s heart and voice, serving an indefinite suspension.
“I feel bad for him more than anything,” coach Steve Kerr said. “I feel bad for us, too, but mainly him. He’s been out four or five weeks. Worked hard to get to this point, he makes such a big impact for us. So fingers crossed that he won’t be out too long.”
