Key Warriors Player Upgraded vs Timberwolves for Game 1

The Golden State Warriors will be all-hands on deck for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Feb 27, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with guard Gary Payton II (0) center Quinten Post (21) after a play against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr will have his choice from a full roster for the Golden State Warriors' Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Less than an hour before tip-off, it was revealed by Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, that the club will have Gary Payton II available for tonight's Game 1, after the defensive specialist missed the team's Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.

Speaking pregame, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says Gary Payton II — first questionable with an illness and then left elbow joint inflammation — will play tonight.

— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) May 7, 2025

The veteran guard was in and out of the starting lineup for the Warriors during their first round series victory over the Rockets before being ruled out ahead of their Game 7 victory with the aforementioned illness.

Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) during the fourth quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The son of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton has carved out a nice niche during his time with the Warriors, averaging 6.5 points per game to go along with 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest, while playing a shade over 15 minutes a night.

Despite Payton II's availability, it's likely that Kerr will go with the same starting lineup that overwhelmed the Rockets in Game 7 in the form of Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.

Hield, who started in the spot Payton held earlier in the series, had a game-high 33 points for the Warriors in Game 7 and knocked down a career playoff-high nine three-pointers in the win.

BUDDY HIELD IS SCORCHING FROM THREE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZdJwYDGKpz

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 5, 2025

Game 1 of the Warriors and Timberwolves' Western Conference semifinals series tips off tonight at 9:30 p.m. EST from the Target Center in Minnesota.

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