The Golden State Warriors were knocked out of the NBA In-Season Tournament Tuesday night after blowing a multi-possession lead within the final minute against the Sacramento Kings.
It was the latest chaper in some major struggles on the part of the aging team as they sit at 8-10 heading into December.
The backdrop here included guards Chris Paul and Gary Payton II leaving the game due to injuries. We now have updates on both. They come with mixed results.
Paul is dealing with a lower leg nerve contusion and has been ruled out of Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors officially list him as day-to-day. Paul went out in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game and was almost immediately ruled out.
As for Payton, his injury update is not as good. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that Payton is dealing with a torn right calf and is out indefinitely. Payton initially exited the game with what appeared to be a mid-body injury in the first half before returning to action. He then left in the second half and was considerably frustrated over the injury.
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Golden State Warriors injuries and what they mean
Paul’s injury history is by now well-known. He has not appeared in more than 70 games since all the way back in 2015-16. The 38-year-old Paul has missed 40 games over the past two seasons, too.
Golden State had to know what it was getting in Paul when it acquired him from the Washington Wizards in the Jordan Poole trade. Whether this latest injury is a setback that will require an extended absence remains to be seen. Paul has performed at a decent level since the future Hall of Famer joined the Dubs this past summer.
- Chris Paul stats (2023-24): 8.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 7.3 APG, 40% shooting
As for Payton, he was re-acquired ahead of last season’s NBA trade deadline after signing with the Portland Blazers during the summer of 2022. The former Oregon State star is averaging 17 minutes off the bench this season. He’s seen as a major defensive force on the second team and spearheads the Warriors’ efforts in that regard.
With Payton sidelined for the foreseeable future, former first-round pick Moses Moody will see extended action off the bench for Golden State. Despite seeing inconsistent playing time in his third season, Moody has shown flashes (50% shooting, 38% 3-point). Head coach Steve Kerr needed to find a way to get him more minutes. With Payton sidelined, he has no more excuses.
We can also expect to see veteran Cory Joseph and rookie Brandin Podziemski see more action. Joseph has seen limited action (less than nine minutes per game). Meanwhile, Podziemski has shown something when he’s been on the court. That included the Santa Clara product dropping 23 points in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves back on Nov. 14.
One thing is for sure. The Warriors’ depth will now be tested. It’s something that new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. attempted to fix with limited resources during the summer.