Gary Payton II - Expected to return in Finals Payton (elbow) is expected to return during the NBA Finals and could be ready for Game 1, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. Impact Payton suffered a broken elbow during a nasty fall during Game 3 of the Round 2 series against the Grizzlies. Even if he isn't quite ready for Game 1 of the Finals, the Warriors appear confident that he'll return at some point. During Payton's six playoff appearances, he's averaged 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 combined steals-plus-blocks in 18.0 minutes, and the athletic guard was a huge part of Golden State's defensive attack. His return could mean fewer minutes for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
MAY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE