The Golden State Warriors have advanced to the NBA Finals for the sixth time in the past eight years. However, the road to the Finals against the Boston Celtics hasn't been a completely smooth one, as the Dubs have dealt with injuries to key members of their depth, such as Andre Iguodala, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr.

Payton, who has been dealing with a fractured elbow, received a huge injury update ahead of Thursday's Game 1 NBA Finals matchup vs. the Celtics, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Per Charania, Payton is “trending toward a game-time decision” in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics. The Warriors wing sustained the injury after being fouled hard by Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks, who was ejected from Game 2 of their playoff series and suspended for Game 3.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Warriors' Stephen Curry with Bob Myers, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Joe Lacob, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole
Did Warriors’ two-timeline dreams close Steph Curry’s title window for good?
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center.
Warriors’ Stephen Curry reveals offseason plan with Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler

Now, it appears that Payton is inching closer to his first game action since the series against the Grizzlies. The 29-year-old averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes per contest for Golden State this regular season.

The Warriors will need every bit of their depth against the Celtics, who advanced through a tough field of opponents in the Eastern Conference.

Getting Payton back will be the first important step toward making that a reality.