Suns’ Devin Booker, Cam Payne remain out vs. Warriors; Alexander assigned

Devin Booker and Cameron Payne remain out for the Phoenix Suns on Thursday as they host the Golden State Warriors.

Booker has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, while Payne missed the Wednesday night loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder with what is now being labeled as a foot sprain.

The Suns will also be without Dario Saric and Damian Jones, both of whom cleared health and safety protocols this week but are reconditioning themselves before appearing in a game. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reported on Wednesday that Saric is targeting a return Saturday as Phoenix visits the Dallas Mavericks.

Phoenix (8-8) has lost five of its last six games and has struggled offensively, especially in their last game, a 102-97 loss to the Thunder.

Booker is averaging a team-high 22.9 points and 4.1 assists per game this year.

Payne got off to a roaring start to the year as the backup point guard behind Chris Paul but suffered an ankle sprain that kept him out of games on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11. That led into the Suns’ three postponed games due to coronavirus concerns, and while Payne returned after that week off, he struggled in the four ensuing games before his latest injury.

Payne went 0-of-6 in a double-header against the Denver Nuggets before Phoenix held him out Wednesday against Oklahoma City.

Payne is still averaging 6.6 points and 3.9 assists per game (13 games) and remains second on the team with a net rating of 12.7, meaning the Suns outscore opponents by 12.7 points per every 100 possessions with him on the court.

Saric is first on the team with a 19.0 net rating in seven games played.

While the Suns remain shorthanded, they at least face a Warriors team also coming off the first game of a back-to-back. Golden State (10-8) beat the Minnesota Timberwolves at home in a late, nationally televised game Wednesday before traveling to Phoenix.

The Suns and Warriors tip off at 8 p.m. in a TNT-televised game that will broadcast on the radio locally on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Rookie Alexander on G League assignment with Canton Charge

Phoenix rookie Ty-Shon Alexander, who is on a two-way contract as an undrafted free agent, has been assigned to play for the Canton Charge in the G League bubble at Disney World, according to the Suns’ injury report released Thursday.

The Suns, which had control over their sold NAZ Suns franchise for one more year before it goes to the Detroit Pistons, opted against taking their G League squad to the bubble in Florida. That allows them to assign two-way players to other teams.

The league’s regular season runs from Feb. 10 through March 6.

Alexander had appeared in three games so far this year for the Suns.

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