Either way, he won't be back on the court for the remainder of the Western Conference semifinals. Holmes: The Warriors say Payton's left elbow fracture and ligament damage will be re-evaluated in two weeks, but our sources say he'll be out for at least a month. Even if Payton wasn't injured on the play, Brooks' suspension is still warranted.ĬA: With Payton out, who is the most likely player to get the primary Ja Morant assignment? Clearly Brooks didn't understand that, which is why he'll be suspended by the league without pay for Game 3 Saturday at Chase Center. There's a way to play physically without making bone-headed, dirty decisions. What Brooks did was out of line and could potentially cost Payton, an unrestricted free agent this summer, some money when contract negotiations roll around.
#A crack in time best and worst weapons code
As a former college athlete, I understand the unspoken code among basketball players that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was referring to after Game 2.
Between the hard fouls and trash-talk, the Western Conference semifinals have been a slugfest in every sense of the word.ĬA: Do you think Dillon Brooks deserves a suspension for his flagrant foul-2 on Gary Payton II in Game 2?
#A crack in time best and worst weapons series
The team that's ultimately able to win this series will be the one that proves to be the toughest, both mentally and physically. Holmes: Heading into this series we knew it was going to be a competitive one, but physical play by both teams has taken it to another level. View Gallery: NBA Playoffs Round 2: Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors Game 2ĬA: What are your early impressions on this series? GIANNOTTO: With Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies are on verge of cracking Golden State's code | Giannotto SUSPENDED: Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks suspended for Game 3 vs. OUT OF PROTOCOLS: Memphis Grizzlies' Steven Adams returns to practice ahead of Game 3 against Warriors Holmes, Warriors beat writer and reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. The Commercial Appeal caught up with C.J. Now, the Warriors have to not only figure out which defender will guard Morant, but who will replace Payton in the rotation and how does it change the landscape of the series. Morant finished with 47 points in the Grizzlies' Game 2 victory. Payton is responsible for guarding Grizzlies star Ja Morant, and the difference was noticeable after he got hurt. He'll be re-evaluated in two weeks, which is well past the conclusion of this series. The Golden State Warriors lost one of their ace defensive weapons when Gary Payton II was fouled hard by Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks and fractured his elbow on the landing.