PHOENIX SUNS

Suns backup point guard Cam Payne ‘good for Game 1’ after knee issue

Apr 13, 2022, 2:21 PM | Updated: Apr 16, 2022, 4:46 pm

Point guard Cam Payne expects to be available on Sunday when the Phoenix Suns open their first-round playoff series.

He’s coming off a two-game absence due to right knee soreness and hasn’t played since April 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, giving him 11 days of rest by the time Phoenix hosts a to-be-determined opponent at Footprint Center.

“It’s feeling good,” Payne told reporters after practice on Wednesday. “We’ll be good for Game 1. I’m fine, knee’s fine.”

Before going through a full practice Wednesday, Payne was in the gym Tuesday and had the pop that’d been lacking, head coach Monty Williams told reporters.

The backup to starter Chris Paul said he first felt the knee issue pop up on April 5 in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers. He appeared the next night against the Clippers but grew more concerned about the injury after that game.

“It kind of started against the Lakers. It kind of started that morning … it didn’t really get better,” Payne said. “Clipper game, I went to go shoot a layup and my leg kind of gave out on me. I made the shot but my leg gave out. I kind of knew there, ah, it’s really bothering me, it’s in my head now.”

The Suns split their last two games with Aaron Holiday and Elfrid Payton earning minutes without Payne.

Phoenix beat the Utah Jazz on April 8 and then in the season finale fell to the Sacramento Kings on April 10.

“I think the days off really helped (Payne),” head coach Monty Williams said. “Now he’s got to get himself back to the conditioning piece. We’ll get up and down, play some five-on-five tomorrow, so hopefully, that will help.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

11 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

15 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

18 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns backup point guard Cam Payne ‘good for Game 1’ after knee issue