Suns’ Cam Payne ruled out of Cavs matchup due to right foot injury

Phoenix Suns guard Cam Payne was ruled out shortly after halftime of the team’s Wednesday matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right foot injury,

Payne was playing in his second game back from injury after missing nine games because of a right foot strain.

The return of Payne to the rotation in Monday’s loss to the New York Knicks was a welcome one, as both he and Landry Shamet came back after injuries had them alongside Devin Booker (left groin strain) and Cam Johnson (meniscus tear) on the inactive list. That had forced head coach Monty Williams to get creative with his lineup combinations.

Payne this season is averaging a career-high 12.5 points and 5.4 assists per game on 41.6% shooting from the field and 38.4% at 3-point range. Half of his 28 games were as a starter replacing an injured Chris Paul, a spot Payne has thrived in for the second straight year.

Without Payne, the Suns could once again turn to two-way guard Duane Washington Jr., who did not play in the first half on Wednesday.

Follow @KellanOlson