CAMERON PAYNE NEWS

Bridges, Paul lead Suns past Pelicans 112-97 for 3-2 lead

Mikal Bridges scored 31 points, Chris Paul added 22 points and 11 assists and the top-seeded Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 112-97 to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Con...

APRIL 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phoenix takes home win streak into matchup with Sacramento

Phoenix will try to keep its four-game home win streak intact when the Suns face Sacramento

APRIL 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out again Sunday Payne (knee) is out Sunday against the Kings, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact After being a late scratch Friday, Payne will be out again for the final game of the regular season. His status for the start of the playoffs is yet to be determined.

APRIL 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late scratch Friday Payne has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz due to right knee soreness.

Impact Payne wasn't on the Suns' injury report ahead of Friday's matchup, but he'll be unavailable for the second-to-last game of the regular season. Aaron Holiday and Devin Booker should see additional run against the Jazz.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight win

Norman Powell scored 24 points after being out two months, Paul George added 19 points in three quarters to go over 15,000 in his career, and the Los Angeles Clippers edged the NBA...

APRIL 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting Wednesday Payne will start Wednesday's game against the Clippers.

Impact With Chris Paul and Devin Booker both getting rest days, Payne and Landry Shamet will make up Phoenix's starting backcourt Wednesday against the Clippers. Payne is averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per game this season.

APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Collects 11 assists from bench Payne provided four points (2-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt), three rebounds, 11 assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Tuesday's 121-110 win over the Lakers.

Impact Payne played most of the fourth quarter in garbage time, managing six of his 11 assists in that stanza. Chris Paul left the game late in the third quarter, allowing Payne to have free rein at point guard.

APRIL 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Brooks leads short-handed Grizzlies past Suns, 122-114

Dillon Brooks scored 30 points and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Phoenix Suns 122-114 in a matchup of the NBA’s top two teams, extending their winning streak to seven

APRIL 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Five reasons the Phoenix Suns are NBA title favorites

Yaron Weitzman argues that the Phoenix Suns are the team to beat in this year's NBA postseason and breaks down how they got here.

MARCH 30, 2022

Returns to bench Payne will come off the bench in Thursday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact With Chris Paul (thumb) returning to action Thursday and starting, Payne will revert back to his typical bench role. With Paul likely being limited in his return, Payne could see a large workload once again.

MARCH 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Near double-double in return Payne logged 13 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and one block in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 125-116 victory over the Timberwolves.

Impact Payne returned to the starting lineup following a one-game absence due to a non-COVID illness. The lefty fell one assist shy of his fourth double-double of the season and continues to provide solid production in Chris Paul's (thumb) absence, though the veteran may be returning to action sooner than previously thought. Regardless, Payne has started 11 straight games and has averaged 14.1 points, 9.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 30.5 minutes during that stretch.

MARCH 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins starting five Payne is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Payne missed Sunday's win over the Kings due to a non-COVID illness, but he'll rejoin the starting unit Wednesday as Elfrid Payton moves to the bench. The 27-year-old has started every game in his last 10 appearances, and he's averaging 11.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds across 22.4 minutes per game this season.

MARCH 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Wednesday Payne (illness) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Payne was sidelined Sunday due to a non-COVID illness, but it appears he will return to action Wednesday. Over his last 10 contests, he's averaged 14.2 points, 9.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.3 minutes and figures to continue putting up solid numbers in the absence of Chris Paul (thumb), though the All-Star point guard may be returning much earlier than initially anticipated.

MARCH 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Phoenix takes road win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Phoenix will try to keep its five-game road win streak alive when the Suns take on Minnesota

MARCH 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't play Sunday Payne has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Kings due to a non-COVID illness, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Payne has been playing excellent in Chris Paul's (thumb) absence, averaging 14.2 points and 9.5 assists across his last 10 games. In his absence, Aaron Holiday will likely start at point guard, but Devin Booker is still expected to handle the majority of the offensive playmaking responsibilities. The lefty's next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against Timberwolves.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 15 with seven dimes Payne racked up 15 points (6-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and seven assists across 30 minutes during Friday's 129-102 win over the Bulls.

Impact Payne continues to be a productive fantasy option alongside Devin Booker -- particularly for managers in need of assists and points. He's now scored at least 15 points five times in his last nine games while handing out at least seven assists eight times in that stretch.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suns rout Bulls, move closer to wrapping up top spot in NBA

Devin Booker scored 28 points and the Phoenix Suns moved closer to wrapping up the NBA’s best regular-season record, routing the Chicago Bulls 129-102 on Friday night

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Booker has 36 points, NBA-leading Suns beat Rockets 129-112

Devin Booker scored 36 points,ikal Bridges added 26 and the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 129-112 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory

MARCH 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Booker scores 27 in 30 minutes, Suns sink Pelicans, 131-115

Devin Booker had 27 points and eight assists in 30 minutes before getting the rest of the night off, and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 131-115

MARCH 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another big game as Suns win Payne logged 24 points (9-18 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 37 minutes before fouling out of Friday's 117-112 loss to the Raptors.

Impact Even with Devin Booker back in the lineup, Payne has been able to remain plenty productive, as he's now racked up 35 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists, three steals and a block -- to go with six three-pointers -- over the Suns' last two contests. Payne's return from a wrist injury couldn't have come at a better time with the Suns in need of playmaking while Chris Paul recovers from a thumb injury. Payne should continue to start alongside Booker the rest of the way, but after Friday the Suns have only 15 regular-season games remaining.

MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gary Trent Jr. scores 42 points, Raptors hold off Suns

Gary Trent Jr. scored 42 points and the Toronto Raptors held off the Phoenix Suns, beating the NBA’s leading team 117-112 on Friday night

MARCH 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shoots poorly, but nabs double-double Payne registered 11 points (4-13 FG, 3-8 3Pt), 10 assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block across 31 minutes Wednesday in the Suns' 111-90 win over the Heat.

Impact With Devin Booker (COVID-19 protocols) back in action following a four-game absence, Payne saw a slight downturn in usage, with his 22.4 rate for the night trailing his 23.7, 28.1 and 32.3 percent rates from each of the previous three contests. Payne also appeared to sprain his ankle during the contest, but he was able to re-enter the contest shortly after heading to the bench and still managed to come away with his third double-double in four games. Even though Booker is back in action, the absence of Chris Paul (thumb) for most of what remains of the regular season should keep Payne on track to handle a fantasy-friendly role for at least a few more weeks. He's worth holding in nearly every league.

MARCH 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Booker has 23 points in return, Suns roll past Heat 111-90

Devin Booker scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a slow start to beat the Miami Heat 111-90 on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NBA’s confere...

MARCH 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Continues strong play Payne closed Tuesday's 102-99 win over the Magic with 18 points (6-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, 12 assists and two steals across 34 minutes.

Impact Payne continues to play well filling in for Chris Paul (thumb). The lefty point guard has scored in double figures in three straight games and has recorded a double-double in two of those contests. Across his last four games (all starts), Payne has averaged 15.8 points, 11.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 30.5 minutes per game.

MARCH 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bridges' blocked shot saves Suns in 102-99 win over Magic

DeAndre Ayton and Landry Shamet scored 21 points each and Mikal Bridges blocked a potential tying 3-pointer in the final seconds to help the Phoenix Suns hold off the Orlando Magic...

MARCH 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS