News keeps trending in the right direction for injured Warriors guard Gary Payton II. According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Shams Charania, GP2 will likely suit up for Thursday night’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Slater also reported there is “optimism” around veteran forward Otto Porter Jr. (sore left foot) and Andre Iguodala (neck) heading into Game 1, meaning the Warriors could be the healthiest they’ve been all season.
Get set for the 6 p.m. PT tip-off against the Boston Celtics by tuning into 95.7 The Game all day long.
You have to imagine that Payton would get a roaring ovation from the Chase Center crowd Thursday night, as he’s missed the past month with a fractured left elbow. Payton injured himself trying to brace a fall after a Flagrant 2 foul from Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks that included an unnecessary swipe to the head.
Payton spoke to reporters during Wednesday’s media day and said, “I’m not quite there yet. But I’m excited and getting better every day. Still got a couple of boxes to check off. Couple green lights from guys. Other than that, I’m ready to go.”
Payton’s spot in the rotation fluctuated depending on the opponent this postseason. While he came off the bench and averaged about 17 minutes per game against the Denver Nuggets in the first round, Payton found himself in the starting lineup against Ja Morant and the Grizzlies for the first two games of that series before getting injured.
In six games this postseason before his injury, Payton averaged 18 minutes, 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 72.7 percent from the floor. His energy and ability to hype up the Chase Center crowd is also a big plus.
Obviously, the Warriors would love to have the defensive-minded Payton available against Boston. The Celtics have a bevy of talented perimeter options, starting with wing stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. But Marcus Smart, Grant Williams, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard all demand defensive attention as well.
You figure that Payton’s offense, particularly his shooting, might be affected more than his ability to play defense, but Warriors want to make sure those active hands are still able to disrupt the opposing offense.
Payton, Porter and Iguodala are officially listed as questionable for Thursday night. If they play, it’ll give Warriors coach Steve Kerr 14 out of 15 healthy players, with the lone exception being injured second-year center James Wiseman.
