Warriors suffered a heavy blow! Payton Jr. tore the ligament in his thumb and may be out indefinitely

On March 28, Golden State Warriors defensive star GaryPayton II suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb in a game against the Miami Heat and has been confirmed to be out indefinitely. This news is undoubtedly a major blow to the Warriors in the playoff sprint, especially since the team is currently in the play-in zone and needs all players to be healthy to compete for a better ranking .

In the Warriors' game against the Heat, Payton was injured during a defensive process and was forced to leave the court. After further examination after the game, it was confirmed that he had a torn ligament in his left thumb. Sources revealed that he is currently suffering from pain and the Warriors have decided to let him rest indefinitely so that he can fully recover.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in an interview that Payton's injury was regrettable, but the team would give him enough time to recover. At the same time, he also emphasized that Payton's absence would provide more opportunities for young players such as Jonathan Kuminga, and the team needed other players to step up to fill the gap.

Currently, the Warriors have a record of 41 wins and 31 losses, ranking seventh in the Western Conference and in the play-off zone. Previously, they ranked sixth, but recently suffered two consecutive losses, making their playoff situation more unstable. If they cannot adjust their status in time, the Warriors may even fall out of the top eight and fall into a more difficult playoff competition.

Payton played 58 games for the Warriors this season, averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Although his statistics are not impressive, his contribution on the defensive end cannot be ignored. His absence may put more pressure on the Warriors' perimeter defense, and Kuminga and others need to make more contributions on both offense and defense.

For the Warriors, the next few games are crucial. If the team cannot adjust their status as soon as possible, they may face a more severe playoff situation. Payton's absence is undoubtedly a heavy blow, but it will also be a moment to test the Warriors' team depth and adjustment ability.