Wed May 07 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Warriors’ Payton Out Sick for Crucial Game 7 Against Rockets
**Houston, TX** – The Golden State Warriors will be without a key player for their pivotal Game 7 matchup against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Guard Gary Payton II, who has averaged 6.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in the series, will miss the game due to illness.
Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Payton was “sick as a dog,” unable to attend shootaround and too ill to play. The absence of the 32-year-old, a valuable two-way player, is a significant blow to the Warriors, who have lost the last two games of the series and are facing a hostile road environment. Payton’s energy and contributions on both ends of the court, particularly his rebounding, would have been crucial in a game where Golden State needs to close the rebounding gap against the Rockets. The Warriors now face a daunting task in trying to secure a series victory without one of their key contributors.
First Piper 