Suns PG Cam Payne exits Game 3 with ankle injury, did not return

Jun 24, 2021, 7:32 PM | Updated: 10:52 pm

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns point guard Cam Payne left Thursday night’s 106-92 loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

The Suns announced that Payne suffered an ankle injury and did not return.

Payne appeared to turn his left ankle on a loose ball just before the end of the first quarter.

The Suns point guard finished out the quarter and even took the last shot as time expired in the opening period.

Payne left to the locker room to presumably receive treatment on his left ankle and at one point returned to the bench.

He had two points and one assist in 4:19 played on the night.

Payne was coming off of a career-high 29 points to go along with nine rebounds and an assist in Phoenix’s 104-103 win in Game 2.

The Suns will once again look to move one win away from a trip to the NBA Finals in Game 4 on Saturday.

Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

Catch all the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, has his shot blocked by Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, blocks a pass intended for Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, right, passes while under pressure from Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, passes while under pressure from Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker shoots during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams gestures during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., right, and Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric go after a rebound during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Patrick Beverley of the LA Clippers knocks the ball from the hands of Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns during the first half in game three of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Actor Billy Crystal, left, stands with his wife Janice after the Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson, left, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson battle for a loose ball during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer celebrates during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, left, celebrates with guard Terance Mann after scoring during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, left, celebrates with guard Reggie Jackson after scoring during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, hits Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum in the face as they reach for a rebound during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, left, tires to talk to Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George celebrates after scoring during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann celebrates after scoring during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder argues with a referee after being charged with his sixth foul during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, left, pats guard Paul George on the back after the Clippers defeated the Phoenix Suns 106-92 in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, top, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, complains to a referee about a call as forward Cameron Johnson looks on during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, is folded by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley as he tries to shoot during the first half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue gestures during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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