Golden State Warriors Reveal Update On Playing Status Of Gary Payton II

The big controversy over the weekend in the NBA was the failed physical of Gary Payton II, and the fate of the 4-team trade that brought him back to the Golden State Warriors hung in the balance. Eventually, the Warriors decided to accept the trade, but Payton's core muscle injury will still keep him out for a period of time. 

Warriors GM Bob Myers revealed Payton's recovery status and potential return to play timeline. 

"We're gonna evaluate him in a month and see where he's at. It is our determination he's not ready to play right now, but when we get him back — hopefully we do get him back at some point — the goal would be pre-playoffs."

Warriors GM Bob Myers on the pic.twitter.com/kzYXjzS8wr… https://t.co/rpS3R6JrpU

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"We're gonna evaluate him in a month and see where he's at. It is our determination he's not ready to play right now, but when we get him back — hopefully we do get him back at some point — the goal would be pre-playoffs. That would be the hope. But until we get a sense of how the rehab process is going we can't really speculate."

Payton missed the first two months of the season with the Portland Trail Blazers with the injury, but came back at the beginning of January and has played somewhat limited minutes. Obviously, the injury is still a serious issue, as the Warriors' physical has determined. 

 The team has filed a complaint against the Trail Blazers over the situation and the NBA has launched an investigation. 

Payton II was a key component of the Warriors' run to the NBA title last season. 

 Photo: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports