The Golden State Warriors will not be able to turn to defensive stopper Gary Payton II in the near future after he suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb. With his top perimeter defender unavailable, Dubs head coach Steve Kerr spoke to reporters about how that will shift his defensive strategy going forward. He focused primarily on young wing Jonathan Kuminga.
Steve Kerr on the Payton absence: “It opens up an opportunity for (Jonathan Kuminga) to be that defensive stopper, the guy we’ve relied on Gary to be.” pic.twitter.com/nmv26OALhI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 27, 2025
“Well, it opens up an opportunity for JK [Jonathan Kuminga] to be that defensive stopper – the guy we’ve relied on Gary [Payton II] to be,” Kerr told reporters on Thursday.