NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: ROCKETS vs WARRIORS

April 26, 2025

Gary Payton II

Game 3 - Postgame Media Conference

Golden State Warriors 104, Houston Rockets 93

Q. Everyone that's come in Here spoke highly of your game and how you turned things around for the was. Did you that tonight with a big spark. What did that for you how did that happen in the second half? Just kind of take me through that. You?

GARY PAYTON II: You know, just be aggressive. Know how they are going to play me. Usually they have a big on me. So we going to work. Go up there. Try to get Steph open. You know they wants to blitz Steph. Just slip out and make plays in the pocket. If they don't step up, go be aggressive. If they do, just hit the open guy.

Q. I just saw your dad and I said to him, 11 points, 11 for 16 points in the fourth and he said, "He's got to be special. He's got to be special." What are those conversations like in terms of taking advantage of your minutes and making something happen?

GARY PAYTON II: Just being aggressive. I know how they are going to play me, and that's the first time I'm hearing him say I'm special. Thank you for that. I'm going to ask him about that (laughing).

Q. Hustle plays and the ball movement. Seems like you were able to get good looks and Steve mentioned the spacing being so crucial to Steph taking some better looks, too.

GARY PAYTON II: Absolutely. We were a little bunched up in the first half. We emphasized space and letting Steph pick who he wants to pick on and just give him space and opportunity to make plays and just be available for him. Just being space available, they want to collapse on 30 and he hits the open guy, we just got to make open shots.

Q. How much does that play in your hands when a team sells out on Steph like that?

GARY PAYTON III: Yeah, just stay ready so I don't have to get ready. It's just another corner three for me, you know, by myself. Just take my time and do what I been doing, working on corner threes and just knock them down. They go in whether they matter and that's all I care about.

Q. Can you describe that foul look, like an open-feel block of Dylan Brooks. Did you note the irony of that, late in the game, sort of in the open court?

GARY PAYTON II: I didn't see it.

Q. What was the key to taking away the Rockets space? Seems like they were trying to play in phone booth.

GARY PAYTON II: Yeah, Game 2, we gave them a little too much space. They got open looks and went where they wanted to go. Just kill that space and just make it tough and muggy for them, and you know, try to make them make plays down the stretch and you know we was able to create turnovers and go the other way ask capitalize. We continue that for the rest of the series, I think we'll be in a good look.

Q. Does a win like this over Houston without Jimmy provide the group extra confidence moving forward?

GARY PAYTON II: Absolutely. We had Jimmy's back while he was out. Hopefully we get Jimmy back for Game 4 and we get back to our regular scheduled program.

You guys are great.