Phoenix Suns point guard Cameron Payne out at Sacramento with non-COVID illness

SACRAMENTO — Suns backup point Cameron Payne is out for Sunday's game at Sacramento with a non-COVID illness.

Payne made the trip to Sacramento (25-47).

Phoenix (57-14) is already down starting point guard Chris Paul (fractured right thumb) and sixth man Cameron Johnson (right quad contusion).

Elfrid Payton is will get the the start for Payne, Suns coach Monty Williams said before Sunday's game. This will be Payton's first start in his 46th game with the Suns this season after starting all 63 games he played with the New York Knicks last season.

The Suns will have forward Jae Crowder back for Sunday's game as he missed the past two games with a sore left groin.

Payne is averaging 14.2 points and 9.5 assists in his 10 games back since returning frim a right wrist sprain that sidelined him 15 games.

The lefty guard started all 10 of those games with Paul out since the All-Star break. He suffered his injury against Houston right before the break. 

The Suns will return to Phoenix before heading back on the road to face Minnesota and Denver in a road back-to-back beginning Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.