LOS ANGELES – The struggling 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 on November 21 in a win at Minnesota. He missed last Monday’s loss to Indiana before returning to action in Golden State’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas before leaving the game with 9:27 left 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 the start of the season with a record of 12-3.

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

Curry had been dealing with bilateral knee pain and said the medical staff initially discussed missing a game here and there to prevent the problem from getting worse. Curry, 36, scored 38 points in 36 minutes in the loss to the Lakers.

Kerr has admitted that he looked for and tried different lineups and rotations during the Warriors’ lull. By losing Payton for at least a week, Kerr will be without one of his best perimeter defenders and most athletic guards.

Payton is averaging 4.6 points in 13.1 minutes per game.