Golden State guard Gary Payton II will not play in Game 7 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series Sunday night against the Houston Rockets. The team announced he is sidelined because of an illness.
Payton was added to the injury report earlier in the day and listed as questionable before being ruled out.
GSW coach Steve Kerr spoke about Payton's condition before the contest.
"He's just sick as a dog," Kerr said. "Woke up ill and didn't go to shootaround. Hasn't eaten. No way \he\ can play. So it's a big blow."
The absence marks the third time in the series that the Warriors have been without a player due to an unexpected health issue. Brandin Podziemski faced severe gastrointestinal problems in Game 2, limiting his playing time. Jonathan Kuminga missed Game 5 with a migraine headache.
Payton serves as a defender on the perimeter and provides offensive production as a slasher.
In 62 games this season, Payton averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds. During the current series against the Rockets, he averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
