The Golden State Warriors have provided an update on Gary Payton II‘s recovery from his calf injury. The veteran wing has been absent from the rotation for the past nine games and has struggled for health throughout the season’s first quarter.
According to a press release from Golden State, Payton II has now been cleared to begin practicing with the Warriors. Golden State will monitor how Payton II’s body responded to the increase in workload and will re-evaluate his progress in a week’s time before likely making a decision on a potential return to the rotation.
When Payton II does eventually return for the Warriors, the lineups will look different to what he’s used to. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski have earned themselves a starting spot, and Trayce Jackson-Davis is quickly carving out an important role for himself.
Gary Payton II injury update: pic.twitter.com/0FERNAeEgI
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) December 21, 2023
Payton II will be an important addition back into Golden State’s bench rotation. He will bring energy, defensive upside, and some secondary scoring to the rotation.
The Warriors have been playing with a renewed sense of energy and urgency over the past four games; Payton II will help them sustain that and potentially even take it to the next level.
