Gary Payton II, the sparkplug wing for the Golden State Warriors, got a torn ligament in his left thumb. He recently suffered a face injury that made his return uncertain. That was the backdrop to this awful incident, which took place during the Warriors’ loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. Lose Payton and that immeasurable edge he gave the team, and it swings in an instant. His ability to impact the game in a myriad of ways has been his greatest asset all season long.
This season, and especially in the playoffs, Payton has shown his versatility as a do-it-all swingman and lockdown defender. He ranked second among the Stars with 58 games played, their second-most ever in a single season. He’s been one of the most durable players for Golden State, averaging more than 10 points in just over 24 minutes a game. To be clear, this isn’t solely about his shooting ability. During his last 16 games, he has shot a blistering 65% from the field and a staggering 50% from three-point range.
Payton’s ability to contribute on both ends of the floor has made him an integral part of the Warriors’ lineup. His recent performance streak of 16 consecutive games with high shooting percentages highlights his offensive efficiency and impact on the team’s success. As a wing, Payton’s versatility and defensive acumen has given the Warriors’ grimy, slim core some added depth.
The full severity of Payton’s injury isn’t known, and the recovery time has not been officially announced. Honestly, the Warriors will miss him most on the court. Now they will have to try and get through the rest of the season without one of their most flexible defenders. As the team prepares for his potential absence, they’ll need to change their offensive approach and rotation to account for it.
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