During their play-in game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors will be without Gary Payton II. Due to a calf injury, which has kept him out of the team’s final three regular-season games, coach Steve Kerr has decided to sit Payton II. Payton II will miss that game as well if the Warriors make it to Friday’s second play-in round.
Despite playing in 44 games and averaging 5.5 points on 56.3% shooting from the field, Payton II has been an important reserve for the Warriors this season.
A larger role in the backcourt alongside Chris Paul in the second unit will probably result from his absence for guys like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody.
This season, Payton II only appeared in 44 games. In those games, he averaged 5.5 points (56.3 percent shooting), 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. His impact, though, goes beyond a player’s stat line; the Warriors will undoubtedly miss his agility and defensive prowess this week.
