Shorthanded Suns lose Deandre Ayton, Cameron Payne to injury, drop 5th straight loss to last-place Rockets
But the Phoenix Suns team surrounding him is looking less and less familiar. Starting center Deandre Ayton and guard Cameron Payne both left Tuesday's 111-97 loss to the Houston Rockets with injuries. They joined All-NBA guard Devin Booker and sharpshooting forward Cameron Johnson on a growing list sidelined Suns. Payne took on a larger role in his place and was doing the same with Booker sidelined prior to his injury. After a 16-7 start, the Suns have now lost five straight, including Tuesday's loss to a now 9-18 Rockets team that's tied for last place in the West.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Pickups: Don't jump off the Cameron Payne ship just yet
The fantasy basketball waiver wire seems like it’s beginning to thin out, but that may be a mirage. Meanwhile, Payne posted 12 points, three boards, three dimes and one steal in 16 minutes. Still, it’s surprising that fantasy basketball managers are jumping off the Payne train so quickly (-13% Last Day), given how well he played while the 37-year-old star was sidelined. Sporting career-best averages of 13.0 points and 5.7 assists across 25.9 minutes, Payne is worth picking up in case Paul doesn’t stay healthy. Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets (38% rostered)Over the last five games, McDaniels is averaging 16.4 points, 4.4 boards, 2.8 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.0 steals across 31.6 minutes.
wftv.comCurry scores 50 points, but Suns beat Warriors 130-119
PHOENIX — (AP) — Cameron Payne scored a career-high 29 points, Devin Booker added 27 and the Phoenix Suns easily overcame Stephen Curry’s 50-point night to beat the Golden State Warriors 130-119 on Wednesday. The Warriors quickly cut into that margin but couldn't get closer than eight points. The Suns led 72-65 at the break, with Curry scoring 31 points. The two teams were playing again a little more than three weeks after the Suns beat the Warriors by nearly 30 points. Suns: Paul (right heel soreness), Shamet (concussion) and Johnson (right meniscus tear) didn't play.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Pickups: Last call for Isaiah Jackson off the waiver wire
By Gabe Allen, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsFantasy basketball managers have a lot to be grateful for these days. A week ago, the waiver wire seemed like it had hit its first legitimate lull. Plus, he’s averaging almost a minute per game less than last season through 12 games. He averages 9.1 points (on 60.3 percent shooting from the field), 9.1 boards and 4.2 assists in about 26 minutes per night. He has made a significant leap as a distributor, having averaged a career-best 2.9 dimes in over 28 minutes per game last season.
wftv.comSuns rally from 22 points down to beat Mavericks 107-105
Devin Booker scored 28 points, Damion Lee made a go-ahead baseline jumper with 9.7 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns rallied from 22 points down in the third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-105 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
Minus owner Sarver, Suns return for another run at NBA title
One man who apparently won't be along on the journey — team owner Robert Sarver. The Suns met in downtown Phoenix on Monday for media day, less than a week after the embattled Sarver announced his intention to sell the team. Sarver's intention to sell seemed to diffuse tensions on what could have been a very awkward day — and season — for the Suns. There was chatter the Suns wanted to make a move to acquire star Kevin Durant in a trade with the Nets. JAE'S AWAYIt appears starting forward Jae Crowder won't be back with the Suns despite being under contract for this season.
wftv.comBridges, Paul lead Suns past Pelicans 112-97 for 3-2 lead
Pelicans Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) passes against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns never trailed but also never totally pulled away until the final few minutes against the feisty Pelicans. Bridges closed the Suns' scoring with two emphatic dunks in the final minute, capping arguably the best game of his pro career. The Suns took an 89-78 lead into the final quarter after Cameron Payne’s late 3-pointer. The Pelicans had a 42-15 advantage in foul shots during Game 4, which the Suns lost.
wftv.comPelicans rally past Suns 125-114 after Booker's injury
Pelicans Suns Basketball New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) dries as Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) defends during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Phoenix. The Suns — who led the NBA with a franchise-record 64 wins during the regular season — trailed 77-74 when he departed. Ingram added tough back-to-back jumpers in the closing minutes to keep a final Suns rally at bay. DA BABYBooker scored 16 points in the first quarter on 6 of 10 shooting and his final bucket was a heartwarmer. Suns: Chris Paul finished with 17 points and 14 assists but shot just 5 of 16 from the field.
wftv.comPaul has triple-double, NBA-leading Suns top Clippers 106-89
Clippers Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night. The 13 rebounds were a career high in his 1,128th regular-season NBA game. The Suns led by 17 points midway through the third quarter, but the Clippers cut it to 73-66 in the next few minutes. The Suns jumped out to a 56-40 halftime lead after outscoring the Clippers by 15 in the second quarter.
wftv.comCurry, Warriors beat Suns 116-107 to regain top spot in NBA
APTOPIX Warriors Suns Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots between Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and guard Cameron Payne during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) (Rick Scuteri)PHOENIX — (AP) — Stephen Curry had 33 points, Otto Porter Jr. scored seven of his 19 during a key late stretch and the Golden State Warriors regained to top spot in the NBA from Phoenix, beating the Suns 116-107 on Saturday. Golden State arrived in the desert short-handed, missing three of its top four scorers to health and safety protocols: Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee and Jordan Poole. He finished 10 for 27, including 5 for 16 from 3 to help the Warriors end Phoenix's 15-game home winning streak. ... Curry has made a 3-pointer in 156 straight games, one off the NBA record he set from 2014-16.
wftv.comAyton returns to pace Suns in 111-107 win over Blazers in OT
Suns Trail Blazers Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, right, loses control of the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Tony Snell, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Dipaola) (Steve Dipaola)PORTLAND, Ore. — (AP) — Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a non-COVID-19 illness, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 in overtime Tuesday night. Cam Johnson's deep 3-pointer gave the Suns a 107-104 lead in overtime, but Norman Powell's long jumper got Portland within one. Trail Blazers: It was the first of a back-to-back for the Blazers, who host Memphis on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers host the Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
wftv.comSuns push past Pistons, win franchise record 18th straight
PHOENIX — (AP) — Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne both scored 19 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to their franchise-record 18th win in a row, beating the Detroit Pistons 114-103 on Thursday night. “I haven’t talked about streaks of any kind just because we have been so focused on improving,” Suns coach Monty Williams said of the run that's lasted more than a month. Seven Suns scored in double figures in a balanced effort. “We'll learn from it,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. Suns: The Suns feel Booker's hamstring injury is minor, but they still expect him to miss a few games.
wftv.comClippers traveling a rutted playoff road, again
(AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — It's not simply the Los Angeles Clippers vs. the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. Merely by reaching the conference finals for the first time, the Clippers have altered their playoff history. “It's going to be that much tougher," Paul George said about Paul's impending return. The Clippers led James Harden and the Houston Rockets 3-1 in the second round, but they dropped the final three games to lose 4-3. After six seasons, in which the Clippers never got past the second round, Paul exited.
wftv.comJokic ejected from Game 4 after flagrant foul in 3rd quarter
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (David Zalubowski)DENVER — (AP) — Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was ejected for a flagrant foul in the third quarter of Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. The frustrated Jokic wound up and tried to slap the ball away from Payne, but caught Payne in the face. With Payne down on the floor, Devin Booker got into it with Jokic. The officials assessed a flagrant-2 call on Jokic and gave Booker a technical with 3:52 left in the third quarter. ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comBooker hits late free throws, Suns top Trail Blazers 118-117
Trail Blazers Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker is helped up by guard Cameron Payne as forward Jae Crowder (99) cheers after being fouled in the final seconds during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker received the inbounds pass, was fouled and made two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to give the Phoenix Suns a 118-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Two free throws later, the Suns had secured the win, which moved them within one game of the Utah Jazz for the No. The Trail Blazers, who were playing the second of a back-to-back after beating Utah on Wednesday night, dropped into the No. The Suns started Dario Saric in Ayton’s place, yet Phoenix outrebounded Portland 42-33 and allowed the Trail Blazers to grab just one offensive rebound.
wftv.comEvan Fournier hits winner, Magic beat Suns 112-111
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier shoots as he gets past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Evan Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left and the Orlando Magic beat the Suns 112-111 on Wednesday night. AdChris Paul scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns. Booker finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ad“As of right now, I’m an Orlando Magic,” Gordon said. … Down as much as 13 in the early going, the Magic took its first lead at 47-46 on a Vucevic 3-pointer.
Devin Booker scores 35 points, Suns beat Blazers 127-121
(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)Devin Booker returned from the knee injury that kept him out of the All-Star Game to score 35 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers 127-121 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory. Chris Paul added 19 points for Phoenix, and Mikal Bridges scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half. Second in the NBA behind the Utah Jazz, the Suns have won 14 of their last 16 games. Damian Lillard had 30 points for Portland, and Enes Kanter added 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Blazers won 127-117.
Suns keep rolling, top 76ers 120-111 for 5th straight win
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, in Phoenix. Booker scored 36 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 10 assists and the rising Phoenix Suns beat the Philadelphia 76ers 120-111 on Saturday for their fifth straight victory. Saric and Jae Crowder each hit 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and extend the Suns' lead to 92-81. The Suns had an 11-2 run which gave them a 113-99 lead with 3:15 left to close out the win. E’Twaun Moore had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting, Cam Johnson had nine points and Crowder added eight points and four rebounds.
Booker, Bridges lead new-look Suns past Mavericks 106-102
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives on Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Phoenix. At least for the first game, the Suns' revamped backcourt performed almost exactly as hoped. Booker scored 22 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and Phoenix edged the Dallas Mavericks 106-102 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams. “I like guys who are willing to take the shots,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. Luka Doncic cut the Suns' lead to three with a dunk but after a Booker miss, Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and Phoenix closed out the victory.
Suns top Mavs to keep playoff hopes alive, go 8-0 in bubble
Dario Saric scored 16 points and Cameron Payne and Cameron Johnson each added 15 for the Suns. Dallas was already locked into a playoff matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers, so the starters played limited minutes. Luka Doncic, who had averaged 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11.3 assists in the bubble, finished with 18 points in just over 13 minutes. Booker scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting before the break. Suns: Either season over or will be in a play-in game against Memphis on Saturday.