BREAKING: Key Player Injured In Thunder-Warriors Game

Gary Payton II has been ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game.

On Thursday evening, the Golden State Warriors are hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Chase Center in San Francisco.    

During the game, Gary Payton II got injured, and he will not return for the remainder of the evening.  

He finishes the game with one point, one rebound, one steal and one block in eight minutes of playing time.

Via Warriors PR: "Gary Payton II (sprained left ankle; X-rays negative) will not return to tonight’s game."

Gary Payton II (sprained left ankle; X-rays negative) will not return to tonight’s game.

— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) November 17, 2023

Payton II came into the evening with averages of 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 48.3% from the field and 36.0% from the three-point range in 11 games.  

He is one of the team's most important role players (and a very good defender). 

The Warriors are already playing without Steph Curry (knee injury) and Draymond Green (suspension).  

Left ankle roll for Gary Payton II on this play. He’s been in the locker room. Rough homestand for the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/WCXHR3dQFH

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 17, 2023

In addition to missing two of their three best players, the Warriors are struggling, and have lost four games in a row.   

They came into the matchup with a 6-6 record in their first 12 games, which has them as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.   

Most recently, the Warriors lost to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 104-101 (at home).  

Following Thursday's game, they will host the Thunder (again) at the Chase Center on Saturday evening. 

Halftime pic.twitter.com/bAeWqQ02kJ

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 17, 2023

As for the Thunder, they are 7-4 in their first 11 games and in the middle of a two-game winning streak.  

They are tied for the fourth seed in the Western Conference.