GARY PAYTON II NEWS

Cleared to play in Game 1 Payton (elbow) has been cleared to play in Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics, Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports.

Impact The Warriors were hesitant to be too optimistic about Payton's status, but throughout the week it became clear that he was moving in the right direction after missing several weeks with an elbow injury. After putting in full practices Tuesday and Wednesday, Payton will be be back to availability for the first time since Game 2 against the Grizzlies back on May 3. The Oregon State product could be eased back into action, but he figures to play a key role defensively for the Warriors throughout the series.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Should suit up for Game 1 Payton (elbow) is likely to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics on Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Payton was expected to be sidelined 3-to-5 weeks after fracturing his left elbow against the Grizzlies in early May, and he should be available within that initial timeline. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the defensive-minded guard may not immediately return to his usual role in the rotation after being out for a month, but he should be more involved as the series unfolds.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NBA Finals 2022: Can Jayson Tatum, Celtics’ defense beat Steph Curry?

Yaron Weitzman previews a fantastic Finals matchup, which could come down to which team’s defense can slow the opposing superstar.

JUNE 2, 2022

For Jaylen Brown, NBA Finals is bit of a homecoming

Jaylen Brown is starting the NBA Finals on the road

JUNE 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Warriors, Celtics built Finals teams through draft

The Boston Celtics face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night

JUNE 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Listed questionable for Game 1 Payton (elbow) is questionable for Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Boston, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.

Impact Payton continues to trend in the right direction with Game 1 approaching, as he was able to go through full practices both Tuesday and Wednesday. The latter session included full-contact scrimmages, so barring a setback with his left elbow injury, Payton should have a good chance to return to action for the first time since Game 2 against Memphis.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Golden State opens NBA Finals against Boston

The Golden State Warriors host the Boston Celtics to begin the NBA Finals

JUNE 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Warriors' Gary Payton hasn't been ruled out for Game 1 Payton has been out with an elbow injury since May 3.

MAY 31, 2022 • MASSLIVE.COM

Gary Payton II Receives NBA's Seasonlong Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, Presented by Kaiser Permanente ' Golden State Warriors Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has received the NBA’s 2021-22 Seasonlong Bob Lanier Community Assist Award, presented by Kaiser...

MAY 31, 2022 • NBA.COM

Could play in Game 1 of Finals Payton (elbow) is trending toward being listed as a game-time call for Thursday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Boston, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Payton hasn't played since suffering an elbow injury during Game 2 of the Warriors' second-round series against Memphis, but he's made significant progress in recent days and continues to trend in the right direction. The defensive-minded guard's status could be determined by whether he's able to log full practices Tuesday and/or Wednesday. Charania also notes the possibility of the Warriors holding Payton out of Game 1 in order to give him two more rest days before Game 2 on Sunday night. Either way, it looks as though we'll see Payton back in action at some point early in the series.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited at practice Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Payton (elbow) participated in Monday's practice, but the guard didn't scrimmage, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Payton has been sidelined since breaking his elbow during the Warriors' second-round series against the Grizzlies. However, there's been optimism the defensive-minded guard would return if Golden State advanced to the Finals. While Payton's status for Thursday's Game 1 remains to be determined, he appears to be trending in the right direction. Across 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. If Payton is able to return, he'd certainly play a role in trying to slow down Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Three Warriors make progress toward NBA Finals returns

Gary Payton II is expected to return for the Golden State Warriors at some point during the NBA Finals from a broken left elbow that he injured when Grizzlies star Dillon Brooks co...

MAY 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Report: Warriors' Gary Payton II (elbow fracture) expected to return for NBA Finals The Warriors rotation could be getting a boost for the NBA Finals.

MAY 28, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

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

Golden State looks to close out conference finals in game 5

The Golden State Warriors look to clinch the Western Conference finals over the Dallas Mavericks in game five

MAY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Golden State tries to clinch conference finals against Dallas in game 4

The Golden State Warriors look to clinch the Western Conference finals over the Dallas Mavericks in game four

MAY 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Golden State takes 2-0 lead into game 3 against Dallas

The Golden State Warriors visit the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals with a 2-0 lead in the series

MAY 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gary Payton II & Andre Iguodala Updates - 5/20/22 ' Golden State Warriors Warriors guard Gary Payton II, who suffered a fracture in the left elbow in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals vs. Memphis on May 3...

MAY 20, 2022 • NBA.COM

Re-evaluated in one week Payton (elbow) is expected to be sidelined at least one more week before he gets re-evaluated, C.J. Holmes of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Payton has been sidelined since fracturing his left elbow on May 3, which has resulted in five games missed. He is reportedly making good progress in his recovery process and has begun to do light individual on-court activities. However, a return for the Western Conference Finals does not look likely at this point.

MAY 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Golden State takes 1-0 lead into game 2 against Dallas

The Golden State Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals with a 1-0 lead in the series

MAY 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lakers: Phil Jackson Comparing Russell Westbrook Situation to Gary Payton in '04 Phil Jackson thinks the Russell Westbrook quandary is similar to when Gary Payton was added to the Shaq-Kobe Lakers.

MAY 19, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Curry, Thompson ready to lead Warriors vs surprising Mavs

Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors are one step closer to playing for another championship as they prepare to tip off Game 1 of the Western Conference Final...

MAY 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Warriors welcome back coach Steve Kerr from COVID protocols

Steve Kerr is out of the NBA health and safety protocols and preparing to coach the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals after missing the last three games of the...

MAY 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'Long shot' to return during WCF Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Sunday that Payton (elbow) is a "long shot" to play during the Western Conference Finals, Kendra Andrews of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Payton fractured his left elbow during the Warriors' Game 2 loss to the Grizzlies and was expected to miss 3-to-5 weeks. If the defensive-minded guard returns, it'll likely be towards the backend of the series, which suggests Payton could possibly play in the NBA Finals if the Warriors advance.

MAY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Splash Brothers send Warriors to Western Conference Finals

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are cherishing this playoff run a little more given they spent the past two years watching the postseason instead of their familiar...

MAY 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS