Warriors’ Gary Payton II out at least week with calf strain

LOS ANGELES — The reeling Golden State Warriors will be without guard Gary Payton II for at least a week because of a mild left calf strain.

Payton, one of the team’s best defenders, underwent an MRI on Thursday. The team said he will be reevaluated in a week.

Payton first injured his left calf in a win at Minnesota on Nov. 21. He missed last Monday’s loss to Indiana before returning to play in Golden State’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas before checking out of that game with 9:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. Payton could be seen limping off the floor before heading to the locker room.

The Warriors have lost 11 of their last 14 games since starting the season off with a 12-3 record.

Coach Steve Kerr also said there is a possibility Stephen Curry could miss one of the team’s next two games to manage his health. The Warriors play at the LA Clippers on Friday and at home on Saturday against Phoenix.

Curry has been dealing with bilateral pain in his knees and has said that the medical staff initially discussed sitting out a game here and there to keep the issue from worsening. Curry, 36, scored 38 points in 36 minutes in the loss to the Lakers.

Kerr has admitted that he has been searching for and trying a variety of different lineups and rotations during this Warriors’ slump. Losing Payton for at least a week leaves Kerr without one of his best perimeter defenders and most athletic guards.

Payton is averaging 4.6 points in 13.1 minutes per game.