NBA Rumors: Here's How Soon Gary Payton II Will Return For Warriors

It was a frightening fall that Gary Payton II took back on May 3rd, fracturing his elbow. Now NBA Insider Shams Charania says the Golden State Warriors are hopeful that Payton can return next Thursday for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Warriors guard Gary Payton II (elbow fracture) is expected to return in the NBA Finals, sources say. Here's how soon: pic.twitter.com/6TaaQri0Wc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 27, 2022

Charania says he has learned that the Warriors' defensive demon has been progressing well in his rehab, and he is definitely on track to return in the Finals. Perhaps as soon as Game 1.

The Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks has since apologized for the hard foul in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, which sent Payton crashing to the floor on his elbow. Payton says there's no hard feelings.

Brooks was ejected and assessed a one-game suspension for the incident.