Gary Payton II is the most underappreciated Warriors player

The Golden State Warriors came out on top in Game 1 117-116, and it was partially on the back of Gary Payton II. No, Payton II didn’t lead the team in scoring, that was third-year guard Jordan Poole.

He was not a key factor in scoring like Stephen Curry, Poole or Klay Thompson, but in every other category, he was among the most important Warriors to take the court.

The Golden State Warriors put shooting guard Gary Payton II in the starting lineup, and his performance did not disappoint.

It felt like every key play that changed the potential outcome of the game Payton II had an impact on.

One, in particular, was when a late-game run in from the three-point line on a missed Thompson free throw helped garner a jump ball that should’ve ended the game, especially considering the ball went off Memphis yet the refs couldn’t decide who touched it last.

That would’ve been the cherry on top of a perfect game from Payton II.

Payton II only managed 23 minutes. He did help end the game though. The veteran guard who has struggled to find an NBA home throughout his career ended with 8 points, 6 rebounds (4 of which were offensive), and 3 assists.

He also had a block and turnover. He was 4-for-5 from the field as well. Payton II had the tough job of sticking Ja Morant on the final play of the game too. He hounded him into tossing a layup off the backboard for the game-ending miss.

The only flaw in Payton II’s game was his four turnovers. He had a few moments where he should’ve brought the ball back out or had better care with it. Those are more on a game-by-game, situation-by-situation basis and are not indicative of his play though.

It was arguably one of his best games as a Warrior, and it was most certainly his most impactful given what was at stake. Expect to see Payton II, who typically is given the Morant assignment, back in the starting lineup for Game 2!