Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II will be sidelined for three to five weeks, as his MRI concluded that he has a slight ligament damage in fractured left elbow (h/t Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium). 

This serves as a devastating blow on the Warriors’ title hopes this postseason, as the result ultimately shuts down the defensive-minded guard for the remainder of the second-round series and the Conference Finals. Thankfully enough, if the ball club manages to reach the Finals in June, Payton II can possibly suit up and help them to regain the NBA crown. 

Payton sustained the injury upon the reckless contest of the trailing Dillon Brooks in the physical Game 2 of the Warriors’ West Semis saga against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The swingman was ejected prematurely, while receiving plenty of backlash from the Bay Area fandom, including head coach Steve Kerr. 

The NBA is yet to announce their decision and punishment against Brooks. 

Behind the 47-point explosion of Ja Morant, Memphis went on to win Game 2, 106-101. 

The series will now shift to San Francisco, as both the powerhouse Warriors and Grizzlies will look to battle it out and gain the upperhand in the series for Game 3 on Saturday evening.