Cam Payne out for Game 1; Paul George expected to miss first-round series, per report

The Phoenix Suns will be limited at point guard since backup Cam Payne is out for Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a lower back injury.

Payne hurt his back when he fell on the floor of the team’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers last Friday. His timetable to return is unknown.

It is uncertain how the Suns will play in their bench without Payne, but expect some combination with backup guard Landry Shamet to be an option. One of starting guard Devin Booker and forward Kevin Durant will be on the floor at all times, so Booker could also play point behind starter Chris Paul.

Hours before Sunday’s tip-off between the Suns and Clippers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Clippers forward Paul George is unlikely to play in this series due to a right knee sprain suffered in the final weeks of the regular season.

All-Star F Paul George is likely to miss the Clippers’ entire opening-round Western Conference playoff series against the Suns because of his sprained right knee, @wojespn reported on NBA Countdown on Sunday.

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2023

The Suns and Clippers will tip off at 5 p.m. PT. The game will be televised by TNT.