Down 2-1 in the series to the Lakers, the Warriors are making another change to their starting lineup.
The starting five for Game 4 in Crypto.com arena will feature Gary Payton II in JaMychal Green’s spot, Shams Charania of The Athletic first reported. Earlier this postseason, the Warriors have shape-shifted their front court pair of Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, alternating who starts and who comes off the bench.
Golden State’s starters, per Charania, against Los Angeles will be Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Payton and Green.
Payton, whom the Warriors re-acquired at the deadline in a three-team trade that sent away young forward James Wiseman, should help the Warriors defend D’Angel Russell on the perimeter. Russell scored 21 points in 29 minutes in the Lakers’ 127-97 blowout win.
Payton is replacing JaMychal Green, who took Looney’s spot in order to stretch the floor and theoretically lure the shot-blocking titan Anthony Davis away from the basket. The veteran forward scored 15 points in GSW’s Game 2 victory, but went 1-for-5 in 11 ineffective minutes the next contest.
Jordan Poole, notably didn’t get the nod. The guard started four games in the Warriors’ first-round series against Sacramento, but has largely struggled this postseason. Poole has missed his last six 3-point attempts and turned the ball over five times over the past two games. His minutes have diminished because of concerns over his decision-making.
In 10 playoff games this year, Poole is averaging 11.6 points while shooting 28.8% from behind the arc.
