NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 4, 2022

Gary Payton II

Golden State Warriors

Practice Day

Q. What's your general availability? What are you available to do right now? Are you hampered at all by your elbow?

GARY PAYTON II: Hopefully play 48 minutes. But like you said, I'm available, ready to go. Just waiting on the call.

Q. Are you dealing with any kind of discomfort or anything?

GARY PAYTON II: Nope. Ready to go.

Q. Two for two on your trick shots. Is that something you do every day, or you try to challenge yourself with something different every time out?

GARY PAYTON II: No, the ball rack thing has been my thing for a little bit. Just trying to find different ways to work on my accuracy, I guess. It's kind of fun to figure out different ways and different positions to try to make it work. So it's just something I've been doing lately.

Q. And I saw you tried to get Steph involved but he wanted no part of that, right? Does he know what he's up against?

GARY PAYTON II: We had a friendly wager. I'm kind of down right now so I'm trying to work my way back to even. Trying to mess with him and take his mind off the games a little bit.

Q. Your dad was there when Marcus won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in Boston. Do you see any similarities?

GARY PAYTON II: Yeah, the times have changed and the game has changed since my dad won it, and now it's dope to see another guard winning and my dad to go give it to the last guard who won it. It's amazing.

Marcus is tremendous on defense. He helps his team and he covers his team. I think he deserves it, for sure. That was dope for my dad to do.

Q. What are some adjustments you need to make for Game 2?

GARY PAYTON II: We just have to have effort for 48 minutes. We play a complete game for 48 minutes, I think we'll get the job done. We just have to stay locked in for 48 minutes.

Q. What type of mental toughness does it take to play through an injury in the Finals?

GARY PAYTON II: Just will and heart. Like I said, it's the biggest stage and the biggest moment and the biggest players on the plant, highest level. Whatever it is, find a way to get through it and just manage it.

Q. Mechanics-wise, any changes there?

GARY PAYTON II: No, same as it always was. Just been soreness and stuff the last week. Like I said, we've got a couple more games so I'll figure it out, but I'm ready to go.

Q. As you're watching from the bench, how much did you want to get out there?

GARY PAYTON II: Frustrating. It's frustrating. But I think Coach is going to call me when it's the right time. I'm just going to try to be ready for him and my teammates and go out there and try to make a difference.

Q. Are you still only available for special situations?

GARY PAYTON II: That's a question for Steve. I try to tell him I'm ready every day. Hopefully it sinks in sooner or later.

Q. Will you use any extra protection on the elbow?

GARY PAYTON II: No, it's just going to be me. I'm ready to go.