GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS MEDIA CONFERENCE

April 15, 2025

Gary Payton II

Media Conference

Golden State Warriors 121, Memphis Grizzlies 116

Q. Gary, you have four days off. How big is it, first of all?

GARY PAYTON II: We are going to need all four of those days. Get everybody back to full health. Lock in. Go over the game plan. It's going to be a good, productive four days for sure.

Q. Do you have any plans personally how to use the four days?

GARY PAYTON II: No, not really. Just get my body right. Probably go on a couple walks and watch some film.

Q. What about the matchup with Memphis and their defense allowed -- seemed like you found seams, a couple cuts, and to go along with that, how much in this setting, in a playoff setting, Steve was talking about how much of a factor you were in '22. How much do you relish this big game sort of setting?

GARY PAYTON II: This is time. We lead up all year to get to this moment. You know, I'm more of a playoff guy, I think Steve would say.

So when it's that time of the year, lock in and get it right and try to be as efficient as I can. I know how they are going to play me and who they are going to put on me. Try to, like you said, create seams and get to the openings.

Q. Today was a play-in game, big performance from Jimmy. What does the Playoff Jimmy nickname mean to you?

GARY PAYTON II: Jimmy Buckets. Give him the ball. Go where he tells you to go, and sit and wait until Jimmy needs help, or he's going to score or get fouled.

It's great to see. I talk to him a lot while I'm in the game. See what he likes. See what he doesn't like. See who he wants to bring in or whoever he wants to match up for. Just watch him and feed off what he does, is great.

Q. What did you see as far as the way he's able to assess what the game is calling for?

GARY PAYTON II: Give him the ball, watch. You know he's going to direct, just like 23 does, they will put you in the right spot and just go make plays.