Bucks' Cameron Payne: Efficient performance off bench
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Payne tallied 13 points (4-8 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two assists and a rebound in just 16 minutes during Wednesday's 128-112 victory over the Raptors.
Payne was able to bounce back Wednesday following a scoreless outing against the Bulls, and this game marks his fourth double-digit scoring performance of the season. The backup guard is averaging 8.7 points, 3.3 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 21.5 minutes through his last six games, which includes two starts during Damian Lillard's short absence (calf).
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Fails to score Monday
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Payne finished Monday's 118-109 win over the Bulls with zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and five assists across 17 minutes.
Payne shifted back to the bench Monday, allowing Damian Lillard to slot back into the opening lineup. Despite a proven ability to step up when afforded meaningful minutes, Payne has failed to make the most of his opportunities thus far. He currently sits well outside the top 250 in standard leagues, making him nothing more than a stream candidate whenever Lillard misses time.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Efficient in loss
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Payne ended Saturday's 112-97 loss to the Magic with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt), two assists and two steals across 26 minutes.
Payne, making his second consecutive start in place of Damian Lillard (calf), capitalized on his offensive looks and snapped out of a 4-for-13 skid in two prior contests. The Bucks' offense looks lethargic outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Payne wasn't a difference-making facilitator. Payne's increased usage won't guarantee improved production if Lillard misses more time.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Starting in Lillard's absence
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Payne will start Thursday's contest against the Pacers in the absence of Damian Lillard (calf), Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Lillard is missing his first game of the year, and coach Adrian Griffin will opt to start Payne. In 15 starts with the Suns last season, the guard averaged 14.9 points, 7.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 30.5 minutes. He's been hot from three to start the year with Milwaukee, going 9-for-17 (52.9 percent) from distance.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Minimal production off bench
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Payne ended with zero points (0-1 FG) and one assist across 12 minutes during Friday's 110-105 win over the Knicks.
Payne played double-digit minutes off the bench for a fourth consecutive game Friday, but he had minimal results. He averaged 10.6 points and 4.7 assists in 21.1 minutes per game with the Suns over the past two seasons but has averaged just 4.6 points in 13.4 minutes per game over his first five appearances with the Bucks.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Good to go Thursday
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Coach Adrian Griffin said Wednesday that Payne (thigh) will be available for Thursday's regular-season opener against the 76ers, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Payne is set to play Thursday despite suffering a thigh contusion during Milwaukee's preseason finale. The 29-year-old guard will likely serve as the Bucks' backup point guard behind Damian Lillard.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Will not return
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Payne suffered a thigh contusion and will not return to Friday's preseason game against Memphis.
Payne played five minutes before picking up the injury, finishing with two points on 1-of-1 shooting. Payne, who is penciled in as Milwaukee's backup point guard, can be tentatively considered questionable for Opening Night on Oct. 26.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Gets starting nod
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Payne is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's preseason game against the Grizzlies.
Damian Lillard is still being ramped up and will be rested once again Tuesday, setting up Payne for a potentially big role in his debut. Payne is the current favorite to open the season as the primary backup at point guard.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Set for team debut
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Payne is active for Tuesday's preseason contest against Memphis, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.
Payne was inactive for Milwaukee's preseason opener Sunday, but with a few more days of practice under his belt he's taking the court Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton (knee) will all sit, unlocking extra usage for Payne.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Sitting Sunday
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Payne (rest) isn't active for the Bucks' preseason opener against the Bulls on Sunday, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Payne joined Milwaukee last week, so he'll likely be due for preseason reps at some point. The 29-year-old's next opportunity to suit up comes Tuesday versus Memphis.
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Bucks' Cameron Payne: Signs with Bucks
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Payne and Milwaukee agreed to a one-year deal Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Payne joins the Bucks after being waived by San Antonio in September. The 29-year-old spent last season with Phoenix but was traded to the Spurs after the Suns acquired Bradley Beal this summer. Payne averaged 10.3 points across 48 appearances last season, but he battled foot injuries throughout the campaign. Healthy all offseason, Payne likely slots in as Damian Lillard's primary backup in Milwaukee.
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Cameron Payne: On way out of San Antonio
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The Spurs waived Payne on Monday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Had he stuck around in San Antonio, Payne may have had a chance to open the season as Tre Jones' top backup, but the franchise is going in a new direction and has several young candidates to fill the role, including Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley. Payne will presumably seek to join a contending team as he heads to the open market.
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Spurs' Cameron Payne: Traded to San Antonio
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The Suns traded Payne and a future second-round pick to the Spurs on Sunday in exchange for a future second-round pick and cash, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Payne's career took off after he joined the Suns during the 2019-20 campaign, and he carved out a solid backup role over the last few years, averaging at least 10.0 points and 4.5 assists in each of the last two seasons. However, Phoenix has completely overhauled its point guard depth chart this offseason, moving on from Chris Paul and Payne while adding Bradley Beal. In San Antonio, Payne, who'll be playing on an expiring $6.5 million deal, should compete for a reserve role with the likes of Tre Jones, Devonte' Graham, Blake Wesley and Malaki Branham. In a corresponding move, the Suns signed Bol Bol.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Shines in CP3 absence
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Payne chipped in 31 points (12-16 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 0-3 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block across 42 minutes during Thursday's 125-100 loss to the Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Payne started each of the Suns' last four playoff games, but this was the first time he scored in double digits. He wasn't able to replace Chris Paul (groin) effectively, and as a result, the Suns ended up losing the series in six games. Payne ends the playoffs with averages of 8.1 points and 2.9 assists per game across seven postseason outings (four starts).
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Struggles again Tuesday
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Payne chipped in seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and one steal across 31 minutes during Tuesday's 118-102 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Payne remained in the starting lineup Tuesday, filling in for the injured Chris Paul who has now missed the past three games due to a groin issue. Despite playing significant minutes, Payne has been unable to produce anything of note. Paul is nearing a return, and with the Suns now one loss away from elimination, his availability is going to be a major talking point over the next couple of days.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Modest performance in spot start
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Payne accumulated seven points (3-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt), six assists and one steal across 30 minutes during Friday's 121-114 win over Denver in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Payne moved into the starting lineup, replacing Chris Paul who was ruled out with a groin injury. While he was able to serve as a secondary ball-handler, his production was nothing to write home about. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 17 assists, and will likely both continue to benefit for as long as Paul remains sidelined.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Gets starting nod
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Payne is in the starting five for Friday's Game 3 versus the Nuggets.
Payne will replace Chris Paul (groin) in the starting lineup Friday. Payne is averaging 14.9 points, 7.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 30.5 minutes across his previous 15 starts this season.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Plays small role in return
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Payne (back) logged three minutes off the bench and finished with two assists and no other statistics Tuesday in the Suns' series-clinching Game 5 win over the Clippers.
Payne checked into the contest with 4:31 left in the second quarter to give Chris Paul a breather, but after exiting with 1:15 remaining in the period, he didn't see the floor for the entirety of the second half. The Suns may have just been proceeding cautiously with Payne, who missed the April 9 regular-season finale as well as the first four games of the first-round playoff series with a sore back. Phoenix won't begin its Western Conference Semifinals series with the Nuggets until Sunday, so Payne will have plenty of time to ramp up in practice and may be able to claim a larger role during the upcoming round of the postseason.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Good to go Tuesday
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Payne (back) has been cleared to play in Game 5 versus the Clippers on Tuesday, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Payne was previously upgraded to probable, and he'll be officially available for the first time in this series. Damion Lee and Landry Shamet have been seeing limited minutes in Payne's absence with the Suns relying heavily on their first unit. Head coach Monty Williams did say that Payne would have restrictions, but he didn't provide any specifics.
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Suns' Cameron Payne: Now labeled as probable
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Payne (back) is listed as probable for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Clippers, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.
Payne was held out of Saturday's clash due to back soreness, but he appears in line to return to action Tuesday night. He's yet to appear in the series but could provide key minutes off the bench behind Chris Paul if he's given the green light.
