Gary Payton II Out for Game 7 vs. Rockets

Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has been ruled out of Game 7 against the Houston Rockets due to a severe illness that also caused him to miss shootaround. His absence is a major loss for the Warriors, who will need to adjust their backcourt rotation, possibly giving more minutes to Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Pat Spencer, Jonathan Kuminga, or Gui Santos. Previous illness issues have also affected other Warriors, such as Brandin Podziemski. Coach Steve Kerr emphasized the impact of Payton's illness and the necessity of lineup changes. The Warriors will lean heavily on stars like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler to compensate for Payton’s defensive presence. This development heightens the stakes for the decisive 'win or go home' Game 7.