ThThe Phoenix Suns are facing the Portland Trail Blazers in the first of two back-to-back as both teams are looking to take first in the West in the early portion of the season. Here are some pregame notes I took from tonight’s game during warmups.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!No Sign Of Cameron Payne During Warmups:
Cameron Payne wasn’t seen during the early portion of warm-ups as usually, he and Mikal Bridges warm up together. Payne has been dealing with left knee soreness and he will be sitting out of tonight’s game. I expect Devin Booker to get quality minutes at point guard tonight but I also expect to see quality minutes for Duane Washington who made the team due to a strong training camp and preseason.
Damian Lillard Looks Healthy:
Damian Lillard is out today due to a right calf injury he sustained a couple of games ago. But that could’ve fooled anyone who saw him at warmups today:
Damian Lillard who is out in tonight’s matchup between the Suns and Trail Blazers is seen warming up pregame as he’s still recovering from a right calf injury he suffered a couple games ago. #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/LDrCTXjB2u
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) November 5, 2022
He seems to be getting healthier and healthier by the days. Should see him return to action soon. #WeAreTheValley #NBA pic.twitter.com/1cQO2m0Fkx
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) November 5, 2022
As you can see from the tweets, Lillard seems to be progressing well and it looks like he’ll be returning to the court sooner rather than later. I don’t see Lillard playing tomorrow either so the Suns might’ve dodged a bullet having to deal with the 6x All-Star.
Deandre Ayton is BACK:
As Monty Williams said earlier today in pregame warmups, Deandre Ayton is returning tonight after dealing with a left ankle sprain that sidelined him for a week. Ayton injured his ankle going up for a shot and landing on Jonas Valanciunas foot in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Since the incident Ayton seems and looks healthy as he was bopping to music and getting loose before the game.
Monty Williams before tonight’s game said Deandre Ayton is returning tonight. Here he is getting loose to music before tonight’s game as he’s returning from injury since he hurt his left ankle in a win against the Pelicans. The Suns star center is back. #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/kaE3cCa6LA
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) November 5, 2022
Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker back warming up again together ahead of tonight’s matchup against the Trail Blazers. #WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/smQHGg7186
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) November 5, 2022
The game between the Suns and Trail Blazers tips off at 7 PM.
