Game 1 between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies was an NBA fan's dream. It was big play after big play, a ton of lead changes, stars showed up in the clutch, and more. After a game like that, everyone knew what to expect in the second meeting. But early in the first quarter, the anticipated entertainment turned into a scary situation.
Before the Warriors scored a single point, Gary Payton II was brutally fouled by Dillon Brooks while going for a layup. He was hit in the head and awkwardly fell to the ground. The collision resulted in a Flagrant 2 with an automatic ejection for Brooks and a fractured elbow for Payton.
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The unfortunate play left Payton's coaches and teammates furious. Draymond Green, who is usually very talkative, didn't have much to say in his postgame press conference. So when it came to his feelings on that play, the Warriors star had a five-word response that covered everything.
“It was a bullshit foul,” Green told ClutchPoints.
Payton has been one of Golden State’s best stories this season. He went from being the 15th and the final man signed to the roster to a starter in the second round of the playoffs. It was a career season for the defensive-minded guard.
After gathering himself, Payton split a pair of free throws, scoring the Warriors' first point of the night. Unfortunately for Golden State, his absence was too much for his team to overcome. With no Payton to help guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies star scored a playoff career-high 47 points to lead his team to a 106-101 victory.
Now the series is heading back to the Bay Area, where the Warriors plan to avenge their teammate's misfortune with a win on Saturday night.
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