NBA news: Gary Payton II will miss the second-round series against the Golden State Warriors. But not the entire playoffs if everything goes well. Read the article for this NBA News.
According to Yahoo Sports senior NBA insider Chris Haynes. The Warriors guard has an elbow fracture. As a result of a hard foul by Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks in Game 2.
Memphis won 106-101 at FedExForum after the foul happened early in the first quarter. Brooks came in from behind for an attempted chase-down the block as Payton was driving for a layup with a clear path to the hoop.
Rather than hitting the ball, Brooks collided with Payton’s head. And knocked him to the ground. He landed awkwardly on his fully extended left arm.
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Brooks was charged with a Flagrant 2 foul, which results in immediate expulsion. The Warriors were clearly upset with Brooks following the needlessly harsh foul.
The head coach Steve Kerr remarking after the first quarter. “It wasn’t physical, that was filthy”. And later alleging the guard “broke the code.”
NBA News: Without Gary Payton II, where do the Warriors stand?
After scoring eight points, seven assists, and three rebounds in 23 minutes in Game 1, Payton’s time in this series is up. In Game 2, he only appeared for two minutes. He’s been one of the team’s better stories this year, going from the G League to a viable rotation player for a contender.
Payton’s defense, in especially, will be missed. He was promoted to the starting lineup by the Warriors because he was the best choice to guard Grizzlies standout Ja Morant. Without him, the Warriors would have lost the game by 47 points.
The Warriors have a slew of perimeter players to throw against Morant, but none of them appear to be on the same level as Payton.
The good news is that Payton’s season isn’t over yet, as a three-week comeback would put him in the middle of the Western Conference playoffs if the Warriors go that far. Even a five-week return may get him back in time to watch the NBA Finals, which start on June 2nd.
The good news is that Payton’s season isn’t over yet, as a three-week comeback would put him in the middle of the Western Conference playoffs if the Warriors go that far. Even a five-week return may get him back in time to watch the NBA Finals, which start on June 2nd.
READ MORE: The Grizzlies needed Ja Morant and no one else to tie the series against the Warriors
