Warriors provide optimistic update on GP2 injury situation originally appeared nbc sports birea
SAN FRANCISCO — Gary Payton II is making making good progress in his core/right adductor rehab and will be reevaluated in 10 days, the Warriors announced Monday ahead of their game against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center.
Payton hasn’t played since the warriors traded him for Prior to the NBA trade deadline on February 9, as part of a four-team, four-player deal where Golden State sent former No. 2 overall draft pick James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons. The Warriors recently reevaluated Payton as part of his right adductor/core injury rehab and believe he is making good progress. Payton is now participating in various court workouts, which will only get more intense in the coming days.
The 30-year-old has been undergoing shooting drills along with other activities as part of his daily rehab. However, he has not been able to contact them yet.
“There’s definitely optimism,” Kerr said when asked if he expected Peyton to return this season. “He’s doing well. He’s on the court. He’s going to step up his activity here next week.
“There is certainly hope and optimism that he will be able to play at some point.”
to the surprise of the warriors, Peyton failed his physical when he was acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers. He underwent core surgery in the offseason after signing a three-year contract with the Blazers in free agency, and was expected to be ready by the start of the regular season. But complications pushed his season debut back to Portland’s 36th game of the season on January 2.
Payton admitted that he had been orally taking Toradol, a pain reliever, in order to appear on the court for the Blazers. The problem is, the Warriors say they were not aware of this at the time of the trade. Nevertheless, they went through with the move and decided to stick with Peyton despite his current physical condition.
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This season with the Blazers, Payton averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15 games. He played in 71 regular-season games for the Warriors last season, including 16 starts, and averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 35.8 percent from 3-point range. The versatile 6-foot-3 guard was a major key to the Warriors’ stifling defense, playing a big role in their latest championship run.
Monday’s update guarantees Payton misses at least the next six games, including the entirety of their upcoming five-game road trip. The earliest he could return is March 24 against the Philadelphia 76ers.