Warriors' Gary Payton II expected to return for NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II will be back on the court next week in the NBA Finals. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors' Gary Payton II expected to return from injury for NBA Finals

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/27/22

The Golden State Warriors are expected to get back one of their crucial bench pieces for the NBA Finals, which begin next week, according to multiple reports.

Warriors guard Gary Payton II (elbow fracture) is expected to return in the NBA Finals, sources say. Here's how soon: pic.twitter.com/6TaaQri0Wc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2022

Gary Payton II is on track for a return in the NBA Finals, perhaps as early as Game 1, which is four weeks post elbow fracture. Latest update with @ShamsCharania here.https://t.co/t9odhG5p6W
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 27, 2022

As noted by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Payton II's return could come as soon as Game 1, which is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on Thursday in the Bay Area. While the Dubs don't yet know which team they'll be facing in the Finals, that determination will be made by the end of this weekend, and perhaps by late Friday night, as the Boston Celtics look to close out the Miami Heat in Game 6.

The son of Hall of Famer Gary "The Glove" Payton suffered his elbow injury during Game 2 of Golden State's Western Conference semifinal series against the Memphis Grizzlies, after a flagrant 2 foul was committed by Dillon Brooks of the Grizzlies. Brooks was handed down a one-game suspension in result of the play.

Payton II set career highs during the 2021-2022 regular season with 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 17.6 minutes per game across 71 contests (16 starts), while posting a .616/.358/.603 shooting line. In seven playoff games this spring, the 29-year-old has recorded 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 15.9 minutes per contest.

More must-reads: