Out with partially torn thumb ligament

Warriors guard Gary Payton II suffered a partially torn ligament in his left thumb in Golden State’s loss Tuesday in Miami, the team announced Thursday.

Payton, 32, is ruled out for Friday night’s game against New Orleans — the same game head coach Steve Kerr described as the biggest of the year. He’ll be re-evaluated in one week. The Warriors have 10 games left in the regular season.

Payton had been playing arguably his best, most consistent basketball since the 2022 season leading up to the injury. He made himself a cog in Golden State’s rotation with his solid two-way play and ability to work well next to Steph Curry, who may return Friday from a pelvic contusion that has kept him out for a week.

Since returning with a facemask after suffering a fractured bone in his nose, Payton has averaged 11.3 points and 1.3 steals in 21.9 minutes over his last nine games. In that span, he has shot 54.5% from behind the 3-point arc.

Payton’s absence may open up more playing time for Gui Santos and Jonathan Kuminga, who has had ups and downs since returning from the severe ankle sprain that sidelined him for two months.

“It opens up an opportunity for JK to be that defensive stopper, the guy we’ve relied on Gary to be,” head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Thursday’s practice in New Orleans. “JK’s the obvious guy. Put him on the best offensive player, pick up full, harass people like Gary does. I’m going to ask JK to do that. It definitely opens up more minutes for him if he’s effective with that.”