May 2, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (8) spins the ball after the Warriors were called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
(New York, NY) — Gary Payton II is one tough cookie.
Payton seemed to play through an entire defensive possession in Monday’s 104-101 Game 4 loss to the Lakers.
But after leaving the court, it was discovered Payton had a mouth full of vomit on that possession. A zoomed-in look showed Payton’s cheeks inflated to show how bad the issue was. Reporters in Los Angeles noted that he ran towards the locker room once the ball went out of bounds.
Payton’s walk-off led to Draymond Green throwing the ball to the Lakers’ bench when he originally thought a teammate would be there for an open 3-point shot.
Payton, for his part, played it cool when asked how he was feeling postgame. “I’m good,” he grinned. “I’m good.”
The seven-year veteran replaced JaMychal Green in Game 4, in what was a chess move by Steve Kerr after Payton had started once all regular season. The 30-year-old finished with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists in the loss.
“We got a lot of heart on this team,” Payton said. “We have a lot of guys right here that is ready and stay ready so we just got to come out and hit first.”
Despite Payton II’s valiant efforts, the Warriors now stand one loss on Wednesday night away from an untimely playoff exit.
