Suns ‘hopeful’ Cam Payne can play Game 4 vs. Clippers, listed as probable

It appears Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne won’t miss any more time due to an ankle injury suffered early on in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals.

Payne was listed as “probable” on the Suns’ injury report on Friday evening.

And following Friday’s practice, head coach Monty Williams was optimistic Payne could be available when the Suns take on the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 on Saturday.

“He was a little bit better today,” Williams said. “We didn’t do a ton so it’s hard to evaluate, but we think he’s doing better. We hope that he can get back on the floor tomorrow. We didn’t have a normal practice today, but he was able to get out on the floor and shoot a little bit and put the ball down. He’s walking around fine.

“We all walked over from the hotel to the gym today and I was walking behind him and felt so grateful that he was walking the way that he was to the gym,” Williams added. “We’re hopeful we’ll get a good report going forward and he can be ready to play tomorrow, but we just don’t know right now.”

Near the end of the first quarter in the Suns’ 106-92 loss to the Clippers on Thursday night, Payne injured his left ankle after going for a loose ball.

He would exit the game and not return, recording just two points and one assist in a little more than four minutes played.

Payne has served as the team’s sparkplug this postseason, especially with point guard Chris Paul dealing with a shoulder injury early on and health and safety protocols to start the conference finals.

Through 13 playoff games, Payne is averaging 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and one steal over 21.2 minutes per outing.

The Suns take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 on Saturday.

Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station at 6 p.m. for all the action, with Arizona Sports Saturday’s Special Suns Western Conference Finals Pregame running from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

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