Warriors: The latest on Gary Payton II’s calf injury
The Warriors announced that Gary Payton II will miss at least one more week of action while he heals from a strained right calf.
After tripping over a screen, Payton, 31, hurt his right calf and left the Warriors’ Nov. 28 game against the Sacramento Kings early. An MRI showed a strain, with a possible week-to-week recuperation period.
Payton won’t travel with the Warriors when they play the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers on their upcoming road trip. After missing three games due to an ankle sprain, Payton was playing in his second game back when he was injured.
The Warriors’ coaching staff is sorting through a whirlwind rotation in an effort to find the lineups that will have the biggest impact on lifting the team above the.500 mark. In spite of the situation, the team will miss Payton’s offensive point defense against some of the NBA’s best ball handlers, particularly when facing the Thunder’s explosive duo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylin Williams.
In 14 games this season, Payton has averaged almost six points, three rebounds, and 1.2 steals while playing 17.3 minutes a night.