Wednesday’s practice will be a big one for the Warriors, as their injured trio of players will get contact work ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Guard Gary Payton II (fractured left elbow), forward Otto Porter (right foot soreness) and forward Andre Iguodala (neck) practiced “fully” with the team on Tuesday. If Payton, Porter and Iguodala can get through Wednesday’s practice, which will include some contact work, their chances would look better for Thursday night’s Finals opener against the Boston Celtics.
All three players would provide a huge boost to the Warriors bench, but Payton’s return would be special for Dub Nation. Four weeks ago, he landed on the floor hard and fractured his left elbow after a Flagrant 2 foul from Dillon Brooks that included a swipe to the head.
“Still got a lot of boxes to check off,” Payton said Tuesday. “Working every day to get back and help my team. Hopefully that time comes soon.”
Pressed a bit more about those “unchecked boxes,” Payton demmured.
“Not gonna speak on ‘em,” Payton said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re almost. … Starting to feel normal, but still not me yet.”
So, it appears there’s still a bit of uncertainty for GP2 heading into Game 1. Earlier in the day, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Payton could be a game-time decision. Perhaps the biggest concern is how he’ll be able to extend his arm during shots and if it will be able to hold up against the inevitable tangle of bodies on the floor.
"He has extended his range over the last week or so," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Payton's shooting in practice.
Known for his ability as a defensive stopper, Payton was also having a very efficient offensive postseason, shooting 72.7 percent from the field before his injury. The high-flying guard is something of a forward, who often does damage from the dunker spot offensively. Defensively, he is a lockdown option on the perimeter who has no problem defending players bigger than his 6-foot-3 frame.
It hasn’t been easy watching his teammates advance the past two rounds without him, but Payton is working to get back on the floor with his guys.
“It helps me just to watch the game and see where we’re going,” Payton said. “We seem to get better every game. Just to watch my teammates go out there, it’s frustrating because I can’t go out there and help and do the things I do that help my teammates.”
Hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy is the only motivation the 29-year-old needs to return to action, but his future bank account probably wouldn’t mind either. For the first time in his career, Payton will hit summer as a free agent in the market for a multiyear deal.
For a guy who has bounced around the NBA and the G League before this season, there’s a certain sense of security.
“I was told that I will probably be able to make my own decision this summer,” Payton said. “Takes a little bit off my shoulders. It’s kinda nice.”
Kerr also detailed how Payton, Porter and Iguodala worked through the team’s half-court offense/defense on Tuesday afternoon.
"It was definitely work that was ramped up,” Kerr said. “Seems like everybody got through it well, but we’ll know more tomorrow. We’ll have another practice tomorrow and we’ll do some contact work tomorrow and have a better sense of where they all are after tomorrow."
All three players would be welcome against a lengthy and athletic Celtics team. Iguodala has missed the past 11 games, Payton the past nine and Porter the last two. If Golden State can somehow get all three guys back without losing another player, the team would be the healthiest it has been all season. Only second-year center James Wiseman would be unavailable for Kerr.
In a season that’s been marred by injuries and recoveries to stars like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Steph Curry, the Warriors could have the whole band together just in time for the Finals.
