It was a Sunday night of a lifetime for Gary Payton II.
After enduring an over a month of wait of being on the sidelines due to a fractured elbow he sustained in the West Semis, Payton finally received a substitute call from head coach Steve Kerr to go to the hardwood against the Boston Celtics.
As such, the Golden State Warriors faithful inside the Chase Center can only give nothing but a thunderous cheer for him, who also happened to finally play his first official NBA Finals game.
Payton didn’t shy away from the moment of basketball supremacy, helping the Warriors to grab the much-needed Game 2 win, 107-88, with his two-way play.
Off the bench, he managed to drop seven markers in three-of-three shooting, three boards and three assists, while being +15 throughout the course of the 25 minutes of action.
Entering the game for the first time since being out, Payton II described the overwhelming feeling of returning to play hoops once again.
With the fan-favorite finally back around, the Warriors are truly delighted to feel Payton’s contribution moving forward in these crucial moments of reclaiming the title.
Heading now to Massachusetts, the veteran guard is expected to supply more help as a reliable reserve with the championship series now locked to 1-1.
