After getting Klay Thompson back from a two-game absence on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors will be down a different starter on Saturday in a primetime battle against the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Friday, the Warriors ruled out Gary Payton II against the Lakers on Saturday due to left knee soreness.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Gary Payton II is out for the Warriors against the Lakers tomorrow night. Left knee soreness. That’ll jumble up the starting lineup again.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 5, 2022
Payton II has started the last five games for the Warriors, averaging 11.1 points on 57.5% shooting from the floor with 2.6 boards, 2.4 steals and 1.2 assists in 23.9 minutes per game. Even when he’s not listed in the starting lineup, Payton II has recorded double-figures in minutes in 19 of the last 20 games.
With Payton II, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala all ruled out, the Warriors could use a variety of different players in the starting lineup against the Lakers. Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, Damion Lee and Moses Moody are all candidates to get called into the starting lineup on Saturday.
The Warriors will tip-off against the Lakers on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT in Hollywood.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!