Payton fractures elbow after getting hit from behind, out indefinitely (oh and Warriors lost)

Memphis comes out physical, wins random ending game to tie series

Well, darn.

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

Fractured left elbow for Gary Payton II. MRI tomorrow to better understand how severe. But just a major blow for the Warriors.

The game started out so physical that coach Steve Kerr went ahead and called it dirty, and ended with a controversial whistle from Scott Foster… tough night for the Golden State Warriors, who were within sniffing distance of stealing both away games to take a 2-0 advantage over the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead the series is heading back to San Francisco knotted up 1-1; but the Warriors potentially losing Gary Payton II for a while.

It was a tight, tense contest from the opening tip, but in the end, the Warriors were well positioned to win it.

Mo Dakhil @MoDakhil_NBA

Just too easy.

But Ja Morant was a beast. Just like it was all night, he had a Hardenesque ability to slip through to the rim and then flail around and get a ton of whistles. It’s going to be a long series if the Warriors can’t figure out how to guard him without fouling, but one thing’s for sure: that kid can play!

I’m not big on ref complaining, but just so we can all watch it way too many times in slo mo, here’s the pivotal play. Scott Foster saw this as a foul, so rather than a Warriors fastbreak with the lead, the ball was handed back to the Grizzlies. Don’t get me wrong, the Warriors blew plenty of possessions, but this sucks:

Tony Clements @TonyCMKE

Of course Scott Foster made this call on Draymond… #Warriors

Personally, I’m anxious for Payton… the x-rays were reportedly “inconclusive” so feel free to glass half full/empty that as you will, but with an MRI coming, this could indeed be a big deal.

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS

Ja Morant has 47 points - 44 after Gary Payton II was knocked out of the game.

Anyways, both teams get a few days off before coming together again. I expect the Warriors to have their serious face on.

Landon Buford @LandonBuford

Gary Payton II left elbow Injury: "Payton landed on a straight elbow. The forces created by the impact with the ground can create potential issues with either the wrist, elbow, or shoulder," An NBA Source Tells me." MRI is likely to come tomorrow! #Dubnation #Grindcity #NBA75