Gary Payton doesn’t lose many battles — verbal or otherwise. But when Kevin Durant came at him with that vintage ‘modern hoops vs. the ’90s era’ fire, even The Glove cracked a smile. What started as sideline banter with one of today’s biggest stars soon turned personal. Because the next trash talker Payton had to answer to was his own son. And just as Payton II faces a rocky stretch with injury setbacks, the elder Payton’s next move wasn’t courtside. It was in the boardroom: joining the front lines of women’s basketball’s newest revolution

“It’s always good when I run into an older player, especially if they played in the ’90s, because they feel like that’s the golden years of the NBA,” Durant shared after that. “So I try to let them know, especially GP, I try to let them know what it would have been like if they’d have been on the court with me.” There’s always been that generational heat between eras, and Payton – never one to back down – doesn’t mind turning up the fire. However, this time, the banter struck a personal chord.

Because not long after Durant, Payton found himself trading jabs with someone who really knows how to push his buttons—his own son. One light-hearted question at a family dinner spiraled into a full-blown roast session between Payton and Gary Payton II, who is going through injury concerns. But that’s just one side of the Hall of Famer’s world right now. In a surprise move, he’s taken on a brand-new gig: joining the Women’s Premier Basketball Association as part of its advisory board.

Why this move? The WPBA broke it down perfectly: “Gary’s experience, leadership, and passion for elevating the next generation will be instrumental as we continue building a league that empowers, develops, and creates global opportunities for women in professional basketball.”

So what’s their mission? The WPBA isn’t just about hoops—it’s about growth. They’re creating a platform where women can level up their game, boost their careers, and mentor others. With programs covering everything from training to job placements, it’s clear they’re building more than a league—they’re building futures. So let’s look at Gary Payton’s son’s injury update.

Gary Payton II’s Injury update

After gutting out a 16-point effort against the Rockets just days ago, Gary Payton II returned to the sidelines, this time due to a sore knee. The Warriors ruled him out ahead of their matchup with the Spurs, and it’s just the latest bump in a rough-and-tumble season for the 32-year-old guard.

He already missed a game in March due to the same knee issue, and not long before that, he was nursing a thumb injury that kept him out for four straight games.

That said, the timing of this decision doesn’t seem random. With the Warriors sitting at 46-32 and still fighting for playoff positioning, resting Payton II might’ve been more of a tactical move than a medical one. After all, the Spurs aren’t exactly playoff contenders. Maybe the coaching staff felt it was smarter to give the veteran a breather in a game they expect him to handle without too much stress.

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Statistically, Payton II’s presence, though understated, has a decent impact. He is averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per night while shooting a solid 57.9% from the floor in 60 games. Not flashy numbers, but efficient ones that speak to his value in the system.

In the meantime, expect Buddy Hield to handle the ball more, with Gui Santos possibly getting minutes as well. As for when GPII will suit up again? Nothing’s confirmed yet, but there’s hope he could return against the Trail Blazers. Stay tuned.