The Golden State Warriors have completed their 4-1 series win over the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. That means they are headed to the 2022 NBA Finals to play the winner between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Good news Friday with the announcement that Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II is expected to return for the 2022 NBA Finals. He has been out with an elbow injury since game two of the Western Conference Semifinals series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Warriors guard Gary Payton II (elbow fracture) is expected to return in the NBA Finals, sources say. Here’s how soon: pic.twitter.com/6TaaQri0Wc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2022
Gary Payton II fractured his elbow after being fouled by Dillon Brooks, who was ejected from the game with a flagrant two foul and later suspended for game three of the series. The Golden State Warriors went on to win the series agaisnt Memphis and then won the series agaisnt the Dallas Mavericks as well. Getting Payton II back for the 2022 NBA Finals will be a boost for a team that s used to winning NBA Championships.
12 down.
4 to go.Goodnight, #DubNation pic.twitter.com/u1n0QEZsjS
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 27, 2022
This season with the Golden State Warriors, Gary Payton II averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 61.6 percent and a three-point percentage of 35.8 percent. The team also delpoys him as a primary on ball defender and he often guards the opposing team’s best gaurd or forward. There is optimism that he will be ready to play in game one of the 2022 NBA Finals. They await the winner between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. Game one is set to take place onThursday, June 2nd at nine p.m. EST.