After eliminating the Denver Nuggets in five games in the first round, the Golden State Warriors will opt for a different starting lineup to open round two against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Warriors will break up the trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole in the starting lineup and start Gary Payton II in the backcourt instead. With Payton II starting, Poole will come off the bench for the first time in the postseason.
Payton II will give the Warriors a defensive boost early against Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Gary Payton II is starting for the Warriors in Game 1 today in Memphis. It's a move to get him on Ja Morant early. Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney coming off the bench.
Steph Curry
Klay Thompson
Gary Payton II
Andrew Wiggins
Draymond Green— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 1, 2022
Payton II is coming off his best performance of the playoffs, scoring 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor with three assists, three boards and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench. Payton II drilled a pair of clutch triples in the final minutes to help the Warriors seal the series in game five against the Nuggets.
Game one of the second-round series is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. PT on Sunday in Memphis.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
