For a third consecutive game, Cameron Payne will be out due to a low back injury and it will be his second straight game in the series where he will miss a game according to Chris Haynes.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (back) is out for Game 2 tonight versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 18, 2023
Payne injured his back in the second to last game of the season against the Los Angeles Lakers due to the impact he had with a Lakers player. He shortly left the floor to get x-rays and from that point on he’s been ruled out.
This puts another big opportunity in store for Landry Shamet as he will step foot into the second point guard spot behind Chris Paul and will be taking care of ball-handling duties throughout the game when Paul is on the bench.
Shamet in his last game had an up-and-down game as he scored 4 points in 24 minutes and had a -14 on the floor throughout the game. With players like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Deandre Ayton next to him, there won’t be a dire need for him to score.
However, he will need to continue to stay in front of screens to make Westbrook, Gordon, and Powell fight for every opportunity as well as not hesitate to take the open shots when they’re there.
Scott Foster is Officiating Tonight’s Game 2 Between Suns and Clippers
Tip-off begins in a couple of hours in what should be an electric crowd at Footprint Arena tonight. Let’s see if the Suns can even the series before traveling to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4.
