Limited by an ankle injury, Cameron Payne played just over four minutes in Game 3.
Cameron Payne’s exemplary, career-best performance put the Suns in position to win Game 2 against the Clippers on the “Valley-Oop” to Deandre Ayton. But with Chris Paul returning to the lineup in Game 3, the Game 2 hero was slotted for a reduced role — one that became further limited by a first-quarter injury.
With about 30 seconds left in the opening period, Payne rolled his ankle during a scramble to snag an errant pass. Several players converged, and Payne came up limping.
Rachel Nichols reported on the ESPN broadcast that his ankle was retaped, but the decision was made during halftime to end his night there. Confirmation came via tweet:
Injury update: Cam Payne (left ankle) will not return.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 25, 2021
Payne logged 2 points and an assists in 4:19 before exiting.
