The Golden State Warriors lost more than a game and a chance at the In Season Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Gary Payton II, who limped off the court and to the locker room during the third quarter in Sacramento, will be out for an extended period of time with a torn right calf, a story first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Golden State Warriors G/F Gary Payton II has suffered a torn right calf and will be sidelined indefinitely, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/xId2giYdb1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 29, 2023
Payton has impacted the defensive end for the Warriors this season, their defense has been 8.9 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the court. He is averaging 5.9 points a game for the season, playing 17 minutes a night.
Less Payton should mean a larger role for Moses Moody, who has earned it with his play — he was red hot in the fourth quarter against the Kings scoring 11 points until Steve Kerr inexplicably took him out to lean on his veterans (who did not get the job done). That said, the last thing a Warriors team a couple of games below .500 and having lost 8-of-10 needs is to lose a valuable rotation player for the indefinite future.
