Let’s be honest. Phoenix Suns backup point guard Cameron Payne is usually an afterthought, right? For those of us who fall into that category, we had a reason to feel that way.
After all, Payne hadn’t played extremely well for the multiple teams he’s suited up for during his career. And it wasn’t that long ago when he was out of the league.
Phoenix Suns backup guard Cameron Payne has provided the team with timely contributions in the NBA Playoffs
However, Payne has fared well during his time with the Suns this season. He averaged 8.4 points per contest on 48.4 percent shooting from the field. Payne also shot a respectable 44 percent from the 3-point line. But the story doesn’t end here.
Payne was a valuable contributor in the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers
When Chris Paul was hampered with a shoulder injury in the first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Payne rose to the occasion. In that six-game set, he produced four double-digit outings and he averaged 12.5 points on 40.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
To be objective, Payne was a non-factor in the second-round playoff series against the Nuggets (6.8 points per contest on 40.8 shooting overall and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc). But with Paul out of the rotation again — this time in the league’s health and safety protocol — Payne is making his presence felt against the LA Clippers.
Payne is bringing the pain in the Conference Finals
In the series opener, Payne finished with a stat line that included 11 points (5-for-10 shooting) to go along with nine assists and three rebounds. Thanks in part to him being in the starting lineup, the Suns came away with a 120-114 win.
It would have been fair to think that his performance in Game 1 was more of an aberration than a sign of things to come. Well, not exactly.
In Game 2, Payne provided the Suns with yet another noteworthy performance. In that contest, he scored a game-high 29 points on 12-for-24 shooting from the field and he dished out nine assists. Payne also recorded two steals and two blocks.
It is also worth noting that Payne played 37 minutes. Additionally, Payne has proven to be an effective ball-handler as well. He has 18 assists and just one turnover through the first two games of the series. Furthermore, he’s shooting 50 percent from the field.
“Honestly, just holding it down for ‘C’ (Paul). Really. It’s kind of crazy, but I’m just trying to hold it down until ‘C’ gets back,” Payne said. “If it means me scoring, I’m willing to do what they need me to. My only thing is no turnovers. I’m trying to keep that same identity because I’m a point guard. I just try to come out there, hold it down for ‘C,’ play my game and just live with the results.”
With Paul out of the lineup and Devin Booker having an off night (5-for-16 from the field), the Suns needed a secondary scoring option. And Payne delivered another brilliant performance.
Obviously, Payne is not the same caliber of player as Paul, but he has stepped up when the team has needed it, thus resurrecting his NBA career in the process.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
