With Draymond Green already suspended for Game 3, the Golden State Warriors will be down another key defensive piece on Thursday night against the Sacramento Kings.
Trailing 0-2 in the first round of the playoffs, the Warriors will have to find a way to secure their first win of the series without Gary Payton II available for Game 3.
Prior to Thursday’s tipoff in San Francisco, Payton II was ruled out for Game 3 due to an illness. He was initially listed as questionable heading into Thursday. Payton II missed practice on Wednesday due to his illness.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Gary Payton II is out tonight vs Kings. Missed practice yesterday. He’s sick.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 21, 2023
Payton II is coming off a 13-point performance during Golden State’s loss in Game 2 on Monday. During the early stage of the playoffs, Payton II is averaging 10.5 points on 69.2% shooting from the field with five rebounds and two steals in 23.6 minutes per game.
Without Payton II, the Warriors will need to lean on players like Jordan Poole and Donte DiVincenzo in the backcourt behind Steph Curry and Klay Thompson on Thursday night.
The Warriors will tip off against the Kings for Game 2 at 7 p.m PT on Thursday night at Chase Center in San Francisco.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!