When Gary Payton II and Chris Paul could return for Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO — Gary Payton II and Chris Paul will miss at least the next few games while nursing injuries suffered in Tuesday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, the team announced.

Payton, 30, has a strained right calf and will be re-evaluated in one week, sidelining him at least through the Warriors’ next three games against the Los Angeles Clippers — one at home, one on the road — and Portland Trail Blazers.

Payton came up limping after a screen in the third quarter’s waning seconds against the Kings. He went straight to the locker room and did not return. Tuesday was Payton’s second game back from a left foot sprain that had sidelined him for three games.

Paul, 38, will be re-evaluated on Monday with a lower left leg nerve contusion. He exited Tuesday’s game in the first quarter and it didn’t appear as though a particular play led to the injury.

It’s a tough break for the Warriors, who haven’t been at full strength for much of the season. They played arguably their best half of basketball in that first half against the Kings before giving up a 24-point lead in the second half.

“It was fun the other night watching the first half of what I think is the team we envisioned,” coach Steve Kerr said. “And that’s the team I know we’re eventually going to be when we have everybody healthy.”

Andrew Wiggins slammed his right index finger on his shooting hand on a car door and will also be out for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, but Kerr said his absence isn’t expected to be long term.

The Warriors will miss Paul’s leadership and Payton’s on-ball defense on the court as they attempt to climb out of an 8-10 record and take advantage of a home-heavy schedule for the next month.

Moses Moody starts in Wiggins’ place alongside the usual starters: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. Brandin Podziemski, who fell out of the rotation the last game, and Jonathan Kuminga, will get more run, too.