BREAKING: Key Warriors Talent Could Return To The Floor This Weekend
After leaving the Golden State Warriors in free agency this past offseason, Gary Payton II re-joined the team at the trade deadline this season, but he has yet to play with the Warriors because of a core/adductor injury.
Recently re-evaluated, the Warriors released a statement on Thursday suggesting that Payton may make his return to the floor this weekend.
Golden State Warriors: "Warriors guard Gary Payton II, who has not played since being acquired by the team from the Portland Trail Blazers on February 12 due to right adductor rehabilitation, was re-evaluated yesterday. The re-evaluation indicated that Payton II continues to make good progress. He has intensified his on-court workouts over the last week and is expected to participate in the team's practice on Saturday. Following Saturday's practice, his status for Sunday's game vs. Minnesota will be determined."
Earlier this week, sources told Fastbreak on FanNation that the organization was optimistic that Payton would return to the floor before the conclusion of the regular season, as he has shown no concerning limitations in his workouts in recent weeks.
Payton, 30, could make his season debut for the Warriors on Sunday, March 26 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, an important game on the team's schedule.
Currently one game ahead of the Timberwolves in the standings, this is a game that could result in the Warriors avoiding or falling into the Play-In Tournament ahead of the end of the regular season.
Due to his defensive instincts and energy created coming off-the-bench, Gary Payton II proved to be an instrumental part of the Warriors' championship roster a season ago, which is one of the reasons they re-acquired him this season.
With Andrew Wiggins still away from the team due to a personal family matter and veteran Andre Iguodala undergoing surgery for a fractured wrist recently, getting Payton on the floor would be a major boost to the Warriors ahead of the playoffs.
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