Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb and will be sidelined, according to ESPN reports. Payton, a key reserve player at 32 years old, is crucial to Golden State`s bench, especially since their improved performance after acquiring Jimmy Butler before the trade deadline.
Their strong play after the trade deadline has been largely due to their defense, which ranks third in the NBA since Butler joined the team. Payton is a highly effective perimeter defender and plays a significant role in their defense off the bench. His improved three-point shooting recently has also made him a more valuable offensive player since Butler`s arrival. The Warriors have a 16-5 record since the trade deadline, and Draymond Green is a leading contender for Defensive Player of the Year during this period. Now, Green will have to continue his strong defensive play without a key teammate.
Even more important than individual awards is Golden State`s playoff seeding. After losing their last two games, the Warriors have dropped to the 7th seed in the Western Conference. This position would place them in the Play-In Tournament, starting with a game against the 8th-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves as it stands currently. Losing Payton will make it harder for them to overtake the Los Angeles Clippers, whom they are currently tied with for the 6th seed.
The Warriors began the season with a roster considered to be among the deepest in the NBA. However, injuries and trades have reduced that depth. Now, the contributions of Butler, Green, and Stephen Curry will be even more critical for a Warriors team that has been working to solidify its contender status over the past two months.
