Gary Payton II Injury Update Today
Gary Payton II went down with a sprained left ankle during the Warriors' 104-100 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. The injury happened in the second quarter when he landed awkwardly while going for a rebound.
He limped off the court and headed straight to the locker room. The Warriors ruled him out for the rest of the game shortly after.
Payton only played five minutes before the injury occurred. He finished with just one assist and one rebound while missing his only shot attempt.
The Warriors listed him as day to day moving forward. He'll likely undergo further evaluation to determine how severe the ankle sprain is and whether he'll miss additional games.
This comes at a rough time for Golden State. The team was already dealing with injuries to other key players. Payton had recently earned his first start of the season against the Jazz just two days earlier.
He's been coming off the bench most of this year, averaging just 10.8 minutes per game. But his defensive presence matters for a Warriors team that's struggled to stay above .500.
The game was critical for the Warriors' NBA Cup hopes. They needed the win to secure their spot in the knockout rounds. But the loss, combined with the injuries, puts them in a tougher position going forward.
Stephen Curry also left the game with a right quad contusion in the fourth quarter. He's scheduled for an MRI. That means the Warriors could be without multiple guards for their next game.
Payton will be reevaluated soon. There's no exact timeline yet for his return. The team will likely provide more updates after seeing how the ankle responds over the next few days.
For now, rookie Will Richard will likely see more minutes in Payton's absence. The Warriors need bodies in the backcourt with their current injury situation.
The good news is that ankle sprains usually heal within a few weeks depending on severity. But the Warriors can't afford to lose more rotation players right now. They're fighting to get their season back on track after a shaky start.
Disclaimer:
The injury details for Gary Payton II are based on current reports. The severity of his ankle sprain and exact timeline for recovery are still to be determined after further evaluation. Official updates from the Warriors will provide more clarity in the coming days.
