Gary Payton II to miss Warriors’ play-in round, beginning in Sacramento
SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors’ team bus had to have a full gas tank as it pulled away from Chase Center for the state capital Monday, but the team won’t have all its fuel. Defensive stalwart Gary Payton II won’t play in Tuesday night’s play-in game against the Kings at Golden 1 Center, Steve Kerr revealed Monday. Payton, who has been dealing with a strained left calf, also won’t be available if the Warriors beat the Kings and advance to the second play-in game later in the week, against either the Lakers or Pelicans. Payton would have likely played an important role as an on-ball defender against Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, at least for small bursts. Instead, that burden will fall on the Warriors’ bigger, rangier players who might not have as much lateral quickness. “Gary’s a huge piece to our team,” Trayce Jackson-Davis said. “I think we’re going to have to rely on Wiggs, rely on JK, use their athleticism, their speed, their length against Fox. But yeah, he’s a huge piece, and we’re going to miss him tomorrow.” Payton has had trouble