Steve Kerr: Gary Payton II returning for WCF a 'long shot'

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Warriors' Steve Kerr: Gary Payton II not ruled out of next series, but return is a 'long shot'

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/15/22

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has been out of action since suffering a fractured elbow in Game 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he probably won't play in the Western Conference finals either.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Sunday that it's too soon to rule Payton out of the entire series, but admitted that a return is a "long shot."

Gary Payton II won't play to open the conference finals, but has been able to keep conditioning up since it's elbow injury.
Steve Kerr: "We're not ruling him out of the whole conference finals. We're not saying he's going to play either." Called it a "longshot" but "possibility."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 15, 2022

Payton, 29, suffered the injury when he was hit hard by the Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks, who was ejected for the flagrant foul and suspended for Game 3.

After review, Dillon Brooks has been assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for this play on Gary Payton. His night is over.#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2WQLOL5qJn
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 4, 2022

The Warriors said the injury suffered by Payton, which happened on May 3, would keep him out of action for at least three weeks. The Western Conference finals are set to the start Wednesday, May 18 with the Warriors facing the winner of Game 7 of a series between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.

Payton averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals during the regular season.

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