Henry Roldán
This Tuesday, Gary Payton II suffered the terrible consequences of how physical the Western Conference semifinal between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies is becoming.
The Warriors point guard was forced to leave the second game of the series with just three minutes played in the first quarter after Dillon Brooks committed a horrible foul in the air that ended with the Grizzlies player’s immediate ejection for a second-degree flagrant foul.
As Gary Payton II attempted to make a layup, Brooks came from behind and hit the player in the face, who tried to cushion the blow with the backboard, fell on his left arm and fractured his elbow. The Golden State player immediately went to the dressing room and after the end of the game, coach Steve Kerr revealed the worst news possible.
What did Steve Kerr say about Gary Payton II’s injury?
Kerr had already had a chance to talk about the play, during the game, when he was interviewed by TNT between the first and second quarters. At the time, the Warriors coach had already spoken very strongly about Brooks’ alleged intentions, and he did it again after the game ended in Memphis’ favor.
“I don’t know if it was intentional, but it was dirty. Playoff basketball is supposed to be physical. Everybody’s going to compete, everybody’s going to fight for everything. But there’s a code in this league. There’s a code that players follow where you never jeopardize someone’s career-season by taking them in the air and hitting them in the head.”
Steve Kerr at the post-game press conference on the Gary Payton II foul.
Other Warriors players also reacted after Brooks’ hard foul on his teammate. Stephen Curry pointed out that the foul was out of line and could have caused worse damage, while Draymond Green, who also suffered a hard foul in the game and had to be treated for bleeding in his eye, expressed his displeasure about the controversial action.
The series is even at one win apiece and we will have to wait to see if the NBA will take stronger action against Brooks for such a horrendous foul. Meanwhile, a clearer diagnosis of the injury to Gary Payton II, who was supposed to undergo an MRI, is expected between today and tomorrow. This is undoubtedly a very sensitive loss for the Warriors.
