It looks like Gary Payton II is moving around well as he rehabs from a core muscle injury.
The fan favorite still hasn’t suited up for the Warriors since being acquired at the trade deadline and subsequently failing his physical. Before Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, reporters in Los Angeles spotted GP2 getting shots up on the floor.
Payton is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week for the Warriors, who announced Wednesday that Andre Iguodala will need surgery after fracturing his left wrist. Jonathan Kuminga returned against the Clippers after a three-game absence with an ankle sprain, while Andrew Wiggins remains out indefinitely due to a personal matter.
It’s encouraging to see Payton back on the court, but that wasn’t the issue before. The Warriors played against him on Feb. 8, a day before executing the trade, but he was playing through pain while appearing in 14 of the previous 16 contests with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Earlier this week, Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters the team is hopeful he can return at some point during the regular season.
“Yeah there’s definitely optimism,” Kerr said. “He’s doing well. He’s been on the court. He’s gonna ramp up his activity here in the next week. I don’t know when the next update, but there’s definitely hope and optimism that he’ll be able to play at some point.”
As good as Donte DiVincenzo has been for the Warriors this season as a defensive-minded guard, they acquired him to be a true stopper on the perimeter while fitting in well with Kerr’s offensive system. He’s expected to miss the next four games, leaving him a maximum eight-game runway before the regular season ends on April 9.
Related
