Ever since his return to the Warriors, Gary Payton II’s increasing importance has been a sight to see. He’s been a crucial part of the Warriors’ rotation, averaging 20.9 minutes, 11.5 points, and 4.0 rebounds per game this month. Well that was until the loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, after he sustained a torn ligament in his left thumb and that ruled him out for an indefinite period.

“He’s one of our best ball movers,” head coach Steve Kerr said earlier this month. “When he sets a screen, he dives. When he catches it, he either finishes it or moves it. A lot of great stuff happens when Gary is on the floor. He’s elite defensively on the ball and then when he makes threes, it’s just icing on the cake.”

The impact of this loss can’t be understated. With Steph Curry’s persisting hip problems, Kerr has started to introduce Gary into the lineup in the hopes of giving some much needed rest to his captain-elect. He clutched that opportunity like it’d never come again. He’s become this do-it-all swingman that many fans might’ve noticed during his first sting with the Dub Nation. But this loss means another blow to Golden State’s backcourt rotation as the franchise continues to fight to avoid the play-in tournament.

It’s not known how long he’ll actually be out for. Shams Charania says he’ll be out ‘indefinitely’, while some sites like the San Francisco Chronicle say he’ll be out for the next 3-6 weeks. Regardless, it does seem like he’ll miss the rest of the regular season games. That leaves a gaping hole in Golden State’s point guard position. Well, at least momentarily- due to Steph Curry’s imminent return.

Warriors issue huge Stephen Curry injury update

Seems like the age factor is finally kicking in for Steph. All of his plays till date have been ridiculous, even including the ones in his 16th year in the NBA. But he’s missed 3 of the last 4, two of which have been in their back-to-back losses to the Hawks and Heat. Luckily, Steve Kerr does expect him back on the floor soon. And it could be as early as tonight’s Pelicans clash.

3:24 remaining on the clock, and Warriors point guard Steph Curry falls awkwardly to the floor. An MRI scan confirms a pelvic contusion. “He wasn’t quite there, we just can’t risk it. He worked out yesterday and he looked good but at the very end of the workout, one movement that didn’t quite feel right,” is what Kerr said after their 112-86 humiliation to a Miami side who’d lost 8 in a row.

You know what all of this means? A worrying backend of the season, with an unsurmountable amount of pressure put on a 37-year-old Curry. But as of their recent injury report ahead of their Pelicans clash tonight, Kerr expected him to appear at the Smoothie King Center. You can literally sense Steve’s sigh of relief. One veteran PG down, another one appears to save the day.

But this isn’t to be taken lightly. The Chef’s complained of back problems all season. No, it’s not due to him carrying the Warriors since 2009, but more due to excessive game time. Gary Payton II was the answer to his relief, but that relief won’t show itself for a good period of time.