How Gary Payton II limited De’Aaron Fox in second half of Warriors’ Game 5 win
SACRAMENTO — Gary Payton II admitted he isn’t playing at 100 percent. He’s still getting his legs back after an illness that kept him watching in bed for Game 3.
Even not at full strength, Payton was pivotal in limiting De’Aaron Fox for the Warriors’ Game 5 win against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night at Golden1 Center.
“It was really about limiting his touches, have someone else grab the ball and over play him on actions on the other side,” Payton said. “He’s making everything in the paint so we let him live with the 3 and contest him.”
Much had been made of Fox’s broken finger on his left (shooting) hand entering Game 5. But the busted fingertip appeared to not bother him – at least for the first two quarters. Fox erupted for 15 points in his first 12 minutes.
Coach Steve Kerr turned to Payton at the 8:20 mark of the second quarter, hoping to slow the NBA Clutch Player of the Year’s roll.
Payton’s impact was immediate and evident. He stripped the ball from Domantas Sabonis under the rim. Moments later, Payton grabbed a critical offensive board and fed Klay Thompson, who knocked down a 3 to tie the game at 50.
“He was really good,” Draymond Green said. “GP hasn’t played much basketball all year so you’re talking about a guy that’s still getting his footing. We challenged him. You know, like, ‘Yo, G, we need something from you. We need you to make an impact, go rebound a basketball.’ And he had some huge offensive boards. He got the one kicked it out to Klay. he got the put-back on the other one. He was really big for us down the stretch in the third and fourth quarter, and it’s what we’re going to need from him as we continue to go forward.”
Fox would go 0-for-4 from the field for the rest of the second quarter and add only two more points from the free throw line. In the second half, the pain in his left finger seemed to catch up to him. Fox, who was seen grabbing his injured finger and shaking his hand out, scored only seven points in the second half and went 0-for-6 from the floor in the fourth to finish with 24 points.
Limiting Fox, for Payton and the Warriors entire defense, meant doing whatever possible to keep the ball out of his hands. Easier said than done with Sabonis, one of the game’s better dribble-handoff bigs, looking to feed him at the top of the key on most possessions. Payton has the hands and quickness to limit that option.
“We’re not in a Box-and-1 with him,” Payton said. “We’re doing normal coverages. I know when Sabonis is at the top and looks to turn, just trying to take him away and make him go to another option.”
Payton’s defense will be crucial if the Warriors want to clinch the series against the Kings on Friday at Chase Center.