15 Cameron Payne PG

Payne tallied 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), one rebound and one steal in 17 minutes during Tuesday's 118-105 win over the Bucks.

Payne scored in double figures in Game 1 of the Finals for the first time since his breakout 29-point performance in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The 26-year-old gives the Suns a jolt of energy every time he touches the court, but his role is likely to remain somewhat limited as long as Chris Paul is healthy.

Payne (ankle) has been cleared for Saturday's Game 4 against the Clippers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

As expected, after turning his left ankle in Game 3, Payne will return and play in Game 4 with the Suns up 2-1. In 13 playoff appearances, Payne has averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes.

Payne (ankle) is probable for Saturday's matchup with the Clippers, Kent Somers of The Arizona Somers reports.

Payne was unable to return to Thursday's Game 3 loss to the Clippers after suffering an ankle injury just four minutes into his first stint in the game. However, it looks like the Suns may have just been erring on the side of caution, as he was able to participate in Friday's light practice and subsequently draw a probable designation. Still, final confirmation on his status is not expected to come until closer to tip-off.

Payne (ankle) was walking "fine" and was able to shoot during the Suns' light practice Friday, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Payne suffered an ankle injury in Game 3 and played just four minutes, but it seems like he might be able to take the court in Game 4. For now, he should tentatively be considered questionable until the team formally updates his status.

Payne (ankle) will not return to Game 3 against the Clippers on Thursday.

Payne was available for just four minutes in Game 3 before he suffered an ankle injury that forced to limp to the locker room. It's unfortunate timing for the 26-year-old point guard, who had just had the game of his life in Game 2 when he went off for 29 points and nine assists.

Payne (leg) went to the locker room in the first half of Game 3 against the Clippers on Thursday, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.

It's unclear what exactly the injury is, but Payne appeared to hurt his leg after diving for a loose ball in the first half. He was limited to just four minutes of action in the first half, and it's unclear if he will be able to return to the game. Before leaving, Payne had posted two points on four field-goal attempts.

Payne will likely return to the bench for Thursday's Game 3 against the Clippers, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.

With Chris Paul set to make his return after missing Games 1 and 2, Payne will almost certainly head back to the reserve role that he's held for most of the season. Payne filled in admirably for the future Hall of Famer, going for 11 points and nine assists in Game 1 before breaking out with 29 points (12-24 FG), nine assists, two steals and two blocks in Tuesday's Game 2 victory. While Payne has played an integral part in the Suns' playoff run, he'll likely see his minutes drop back into the 15-to-20 range Thursday, assuming Paul isn't facing any restrictions.

Payne mustered 29 points (12-24 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine assists, two steals, two blocks and a rebound across 37 minutes in Tuesday's Game 2 win over the Clippers.

Payne has dished out nine dimes in both games during the current series, but his offensive output in this one came out of nowhere -- he finished as the team's top scorer despite sharing the court with names such as Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, two players that also delivered impressive performances in this game. Payne is expected to move back to the bench as soon as Chris Paul (COVID-19) is eligible to return, which might be as soon as Game 3, but there's no question he's performed better than anyone would've expected.

Payne had 11 points (5-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), nine assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block in Sunday's Game 1 win over the Clippers.

Making a spot start with Chris Paul in COVID-19 protocols, Payne took advantage of the increased role, nearly notching a double-double and finishing as a plus-14 in his 29 minutes of action. When Paul is available, Payne typically plays 15-to-20 minutes off the bench, but the journeyman has been an important rotation piece for the Suns, who have now won eight consecutive games. In Round 1 against the Lakers, Payne scored in double figures in Games 2, 3, 4 and 5, but he was quieter during Phoenix's four-game sweep of the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals (6.8 PPG, 42.3% FG, 3-of-10 3Pt). If Paul remains out for Tuesday's Game 2, expect Payne to make another start at point guard.

Payne will start in Game 1 against the Clippers on Sunday, Gerald Bourquet of FanSided.com reports.

Payne will make just his second start of the entire season with Chris Paul (COVID-19 protocols) on the sidelines to begin the Western Conference Finals. So far during the playoffs, the 26-year-old guard has averaged 10.2 points on 41.8 percent shooting, 2.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 triples per game. Payne should see an increased workload Sunday, with Jevon Carter being another candidate to see increased minutes.

Payne posted 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt), six assists, four steals and three rebounds in 27 minutes during Thursday's 109-95 loss to the Lakers in Game 3.

Payne had a significant role again in Game 3 with Chris Paul (shoulder) sitting out for most of the fourth quarter. The guard shot the ball very efficiently and even helped out defensively by grabbing a couple of late-game steals. As long as Paul is still bothered by the stinger in his right shoulder, Payne will continue to take on an increased workload.

Payne scored 19 points (6-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT) while adding seven assists, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal across 33 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's Game 2 loss against the Lakers.

Chris Paul only played 23 minutes, which enabled Payne to set a season high in court time, and he made the most of the opportunity. He's now scored at least 19 points in three of his last five appearances, with two of those games coming off the bench. Payne will see an uptick in his fantasy value as long as Paul is not 100 percent healthy, but he's been a serviceable fantasy option even when coming off the bench for the Suns.

Payne was ejected from Sunday's Game 1 against the Lakers after picking up two technical fouls.

Payne was involved in an altercation with Alex Caruso -- and eventually several players from both teams -- early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest. After a lengthy review, the referees assigned Payne a pair of technical fouls, triggering an automatic ejection. Prior to exiting, Payne had five points (2-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 13 minutes off the bench.

Payne scored 19 points (7-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT) to go along with six assists, four rebounds and one steal across 27 minutes in Sunday's win over the Spurs.

Payne drew his only start of the regular season in the final game with both Chris Paul and Devin Booker resting. He led the team with three triples and otherwise scored fairly efficiently. Payne was overshadowed by Jevon Carter on Sunday, but he should keep his significant role off the bench as the Suns head into a playoff matchup against either the Lakers or Warriors.

Payne will start Sunday's game against the Spurs.

The 26-year-old will make his first start of the season with Chris Paul and Devin Booker resting for the final game of the regular season. Payne should see plenty of action Sunday for the Suns.

Payne tallied 21 points (8-12 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a blocked shot across 27 minutes in Thursday's 118-117 win over the Trail Blazers.

Although Payne disappears in the offense regularly, the Suns have given him more court time, especially over the last five games. It has resulted in a couple of excellent stat lines for the sixth-year vet, with one total leading the team in a loss to the Lakers. It's unclear whether Payne's increased involvement will be a trend leading into the playoffs, but for now he's emerged as the primary backup to Chris Paul, and he's played 20-plus minutes in five straight games.

Payne produced 24 points (9-10 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and a rebound across 20 minutes in Sunday's 123-110 loss to the Lakers.

Payne didn't do much until the third quarter, where he went on a torrid shooting streak while on in relief of Chris Paul. He was so hot from the floor that the Suns kept Payne in the game upon Paul's return and went with a two-guard set without Devin Booker for most of the final stanza. Payne's stat line was atypical, but the Suns decided to ride the hot hand in hopes of making a final charge in the loss.

Payne scored six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt) with five assists and two rebounds in a 134-118 victory over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Payne returned to the lineup as the team's backup point guard after a one-game absence due to a knee injury. The guard has recorded four-plus assists in four of his last five contests and averaged 9.6 points, 3.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game over that stretch.

Payne (knee) will play Tuesday against the Cavs.

It will only be a one-game absence for Payne, who was dealing with a minor knee bruise. Expect him to return to his usual role of 15-to-22 minutes off the bench behind Chris Paul.

Payne (knee) is listed as questionable Tuesday against the Cavaliers.

The reserve guard missed Sunday's game with a bruised knee, but he'll have a decent chance to get back on the court Tuesday night after a day off. Prior to Sunday's absence, Payne had scored in double figures in three straight games, headlined by a 15-point, four-rebound, four-assist, three-three-pointer effort against the Clippers on Wednesday.