2 min read • May 04, 2022
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The Warriors announced that starting guard Gary Payton II suffered a fractured left elbow in Game 2 and will have an MRI Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury.
UPDATE:
The Warriors announced Wednesday that the MRI revealed minor ligament damage in addition to the fracture in the left elbow. Golden State projected his timeline for a return at three-to-five weeks, leaving him out until the NBA Finals at least.
Gary Payton II Injury Update
The second-generation NBA player left Tuesday's loss just under three minutes into the contest after suffering a likely radial head fracture on a flagrant 2 foul by Dillon Brooks.
X-rays were initially deemed inconclusive, but Steve Kerr told reporters of the diagnosis during his postgame press conference.
The fracture will hopefully not require surgery, according to the ProBasketballDocs, but even without surgery, the 28-year-old will likely miss between four-and-six weeks.
That timeline leaves him out for the remainder of the Warriors' current series, tied 1-1, and through a potential Western Conference Finals series at minimum.
Payton II landed directly on his fully extended left arm after Brooks hit him on the side of the head with his forearm.
Injury Impact on the Warriors
The former G-Leaguer started the first two games against the Grizzlies and was tasked as the main defender guarding Ja Morant.
Jordan Poole will likely go back into the starting five, while Damion Lee and Juan Toscano-Anderson may jump back into the rotation.
The absence will put more pressure on Klay Thompson's defense, which is still a work-in-progress as he continues to re-acclimate to the NBA after 950 days of recovery from a torn ACL and ruptured Achilles.
Payton II is set to be a free agent this offseason after signing a 1-year, $1.94 million contract for 2021-22.
He has become a mainstay in the Warriors' rotation and was averaging seven points, 3.5 rebounds, and one steal on 72.7% shooting in the playoffs coming into tonight's loss.
Warriors Finals Odds
Golden State is -300 to win the series against the Grizzlies and +300 to win the finals, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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