Suns guard Cameron Payne to miss Pacers game due to ankle injury

Jan 9, 2021, 3:13 PM

Phoenix Suns' Cameron Payne, center, goes up to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Hervey, left, during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

(Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo via AP)

BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN

Arizona Sports

The Phoenix Suns will be without point guard Cameron Payne when the team takes on the Indianapolis Pacers on Saturday night.

Payne suffered a right ankle sprain in Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, according to 98.7 FM Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson.

The sixth-year guard is believed to have suffered the injury when he dove for a loose ball in the third quarter of Friday’s 110-105 overtime loss to the Pistons. He was hobbled after that possession.

Pretty sure this was it for Cam Payne. He was hobbled for a minute but then played through it and stayed in the game. pic.twitter.com/s59zl6OXQi

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 9, 2021

Payne finished Friday’s contest with six points on 3-for-6 shooting while dishing out three assists in the loss.

He is averaging 7.7 points per game to go with 4.3 assists and 2.4 rebounds in nine games.

Payne been a steady presence off the bench for coach Monty Williams and company this season, making strong contributions on both ends of the floor over his 17.8 minutes per game.

Payne played a key role in the Suns’ 8-0 run in the NBA bubble in August. Signed shortly before play started, he averaged 10.9 points per game, more than two points per game higher his career high of 8.8 points per game set in 2017-18 when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls. His play earned him a spot back on the roster when the Suns accepted the player option.

The veteran point guard joined by 2020 first-round pick Jalen Smith on the Suns’ injury report. Smith will miss the Pacers game for health and safety protocols.

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Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) attempts a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, passes as Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) makes a layup as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns guard Langston Galloway, right, knocks the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) makes a layup as Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15), forward Cameron Johnson (23) and others celebrate after a three-point basket by a teammate during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant (9) shoots over the defense of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) attempts a layup as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Pistons center Mason Plumlee (24) is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin (23) is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Pistons head coach Dwane Casey looks toward referee Marc Davis (8) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

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