Just minutes into Game 2 of the Golden State Warriors western conference semifinal series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Warriors guard Gary Payton II took a hard blow to the back of the head from Grizzlies small forward Dillon Brooks. After the foul was reviewed, it was upgraded to a Flagrant 2, causing the ejection of Brooks from the game.

However, as hard as the hit to the head was, that ultimately didn't end up being the problem for the Warriors young guard. As he went to the ground, he appeared to hit his elbow very hard on the court.

Payton II had to have x-rays on his left elbow and has since been ruled out for the rest of Game 2, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

In his absence, rising star Jordan Poole has played extended minutes off the bench for the Warriors. But the rest of the Warriors bench has not played very much Tuesday night. That has left Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to all play heavy minutes. Green returned late in the second quarter after having been bloodied himself after taking an elbow from Grizzlies center Xavier Tillman. As he headed to the locker room, the Warriors star forward flipped off the crowd, sending NBA fans into a tizzy.

On the flip side, the Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks absence has hurt the depth of Memphis also.

At the end of the third quarter, the game is tied 77-77. This game has been a battle of attrition, with both teams playing short-handed. If Curry, Poole, Thompson and Green can carry the Warriors to a victory, they will have a 2-0 series lead heading back to Golden State.