Warriors’ veteran guard ruled out ‘indefinitely’

The Golden State Warriors have picked up another injury with Gary Payton II ruled out after suffering a knock in Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat.

The Warriors fell to a 112-86 loss against the Heat and looked to be severely lacking the creativity of Stephen Curry, who also finds himself sidelined for the team. Payton played 20 minutes on Tuesday - contributing 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 points - before a torn ligament in his left thumb forced him out.

The 32-year-old Payton has been a bit-part player for most of his professional career, moving between the NBA and G League teams regularly. However he had actually started to find regular minutes under Steve Kerr this season, featuring in 58 games up to the Miami loss.

ESPN report that Payton will now be out for “an indefinite period” as a result of the injury, meaning that Warriors fans will be praying for a swift return for their other injured star.

When will Stephen Curry be back for the Warriors?

The Miami loss was a second defeat on the bounce for the Warriors. It can be no coincidence that those two games span the period without talisman Steph Curry and Kerr will be desperate to get him back in contention.

Speaking after Tuesday’s game, Kerr revealed that Curry had only just missed out on a return for Miami but had positive news for Warriors fans regarding his recovery.

“He wasn’t quite there, we just can’t risk it. He worked out yesterday and he looked good but at the very end of the workout, one movement that didn’t quite feel right,” Kerr explained. “Knowing the schedule, when we have got next two days off, I think it will be a full week when he returns.”

“We expect him to return in New Orleans, we will see. It will be called day-by-day but we are kind of expecting that he would play then. That would be a full week off. I can really take care of the injury and it regenerates, recharges the batteries. So I think this is a good plan.”

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