Key Player Receives Last Minute Injury Update in Clippers vs. Suns Game 1

The Phoenix Suns have made an update to their Game 1 injury report vs. the Clippers
Key Player Receives Last Minute Injury Update in Clippers vs. Suns Game 1
Key Player Receives Last Minute Injury Update in Clippers vs. Suns Game 1 /

After initially being listed as questionable for Sunday night's Game 1 vs. the LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne has been downgraded to out. While Payne can become somewhat overlooked in a series featuring Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Devin Booker, he is a key player for the Suns and their bench, and had success in the 2021 Western Conference Finals against the Clippers.

With Payne being ruled out, he joins Paul George as the only two players who are inactive for Game 1. Outside of George and Payne, both teams will have their entire rosters available. As previously mentioned, Payne was huge in the 2021 Western Conference Finals against the Clippers, going for 29 points and and 9 assists in a Game 2 victory.

Payne's absence will likely force Phoenix to rely on Chris Paul for more minutes, which is already standard come postseason time, but perhaps something Phoenix was hoping to avoid in round one. With star power all over, the Suns believe they can take this group all the way, and will have to effectively manage workloads throughout this run - especially with their veterans.

This Game 1 between the Clippers and Suns feels especially important, as the Clippers are hoping to extend their playoff run long enough for Paul George to make a return. Stealing Game 1 on the road against Phoenix would be a great start for them.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.