Suns’ Abdel Nader, Elfrid Payton enter health and safety protocols

Phoenix Suns wing Abdel Nader and guard Elfrid Payton entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols ahead of Wednesday’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They join center Deandre Ayton, forward Jae Crowder and head coach Monty Williams in the protocols.

Payton went into the protocols on Sunday, but he was cleared before tip-off on Monday. He played nearly nine minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The guard warmed up prior to Wednesday’s game before becoming a late scratch.

Nader would not have played against Oklahoma City regardless, as he is dealing with right knee injury management.

The 28-year-old has not played since Nov. 19 against the Dallas Mavericks. That was Game 11 of Phoenix’s 18-game winning streak.

Nader has averaged 10.4 minutes per contest in 14 games this season, his second on the Suns.

He has scored 2.4 points per game with 1.9 rebounds, although defense is his primary contribution.

If Nader and Payton tested positive, the Suns would need to add a replacement signing or multiple depending on the number of positive cases on the team. Two positive tests requires one hardship signing, three cases needs two additions and so forth.

Phoenix has already added forward Emanuel Terry as a 10-day hardship signing this week.

The Suns are looking to bounce back following a last-second loss to the Grizzlies on Monday night.

They have dropped two straight games and are 0.5 games back of the Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Wednesday night’s game against the Thunder starts at 7 p.m. You can listen on 98.7 Arizona’s Sports Station.

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