Gary Payton II

It’s safe to say that you’ve reached athletic brilliance when 11 dunk-less days is enough to make you “forget what the air is like” around the rim. But, with victory over the Western Conference’s frontrunner only a few sequences away, Gary Payton II and the Golden State Warriors — perched back sightline of the final Play-In spot afterwards — certainly enjoyed January 29, 2025’s view anyways. Something of a thorn in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s side all throughout Wednesday night’s, nationally-televised showdown, Payton, heeding his coach’s request to “follow the help,” sharply cuts baseline, perfectly presenting himself within view of his surrounded, in-air teammate. Lightning bolt-like in his leap, Payton II outmatches Isaiah Hartenstein for an arena-igniting, game-clinching contact flush. Payton’s demonstration, and trademark Warriors-like plays of that caliber helped Golden State spoil a 52-point showcase from the Thunder’s star. Impactful everywhere, Payton chipped in a 15-point, nine-rebound, three-assist contribution on elite efficiency overall (five-of-seven) and from the charity stride (five-of-five), alongside six deflections in 25 minutes.