Draymond Green is asking his Warriors teammate Jonathan Kuminga to step up as a defender and fill the void left by Gary Payton II

Steve Kerr highlights Jonathan Kuminga's critical opportunity to shine for the Warriors amidst roster challenges.

The Golden State Warriors will not be able to turn to defensive stopper Gary Payton II in the near future after he suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb. With his top perimeter defender unavailable,

Golden State Warriors wing Gary Payton II has suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported that the Warriors are "still trying to figure out [the extent of the injury and return timeline],

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has a partial tear of a ligament in his left thumb. Payton hurt his thumb during the Warriors’ 112-86 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday. The Warriors revealed the severity of the injury on Thursday.

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has a partial tear of a ligament in his left thumb. Payton hurt his thumb during the Warriors’ 112-86 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday. The Warriors revealed the severity of the injury on Thursday.

Payton had been playing arguably his best, most consistent basketball since the 2022 season leading up to the injury.

Payton suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb and "will miss time", ESPN's Shams Charania reports. This is a tough blow for Golden State, as Payton had been logging sizable workloads recently with minutes in the 20s.

Gary Payton II has become a solid part of the Warriors' rotation since Jimmy Butler arrived in the Bay Area. In his last 10 games, Payton has averaged 20.8 minutes a game off the bench, adding 11.1 points a game and shooting 50% on the 2.