Suns update: Chris Paul (heel) will miss 10th straight game Monday at Sacramento

SACRAMENTO – Chris Paul will miss his 10th straight game Monday at Sacramento (10-8) with what the Phoenix Suns are calling right heel soreness.

The Suns (13-6) are 6-3 without Paul as they're currently riding a four-game winning streak. Paul grabbed at his heel trying to get around a screen in an Nov. 7 loss at Philadelphia and hasn't played in a game since.

"I just wait for them to tell me he can play," Suns coach Monty Williams before Saturday's 113-112 win over Utah. "We're just not there yet. I don't have anything to add to that. If he was able to play, they'd be like, he's ready to go. He's just not there yet."

Cameron Payne has started in Paul's place. The backup point guard is averaging 17.7 points, 6.8 assists to 2.2 turnovers and shooting 40% from 3 in his nine starts for Paul.

Landry Shamet returned Saturday after missing eight games in concussion protocols.

"I feel good," Shamet said. "Anytime you come back from injury, you're playing catchup. Just getting back in a rhythm, conditioning. That was a great game to come back. You've got to sit down and guard, be locked into a game plan. Things are moving fast."

Playing 15 minutes, Shamet scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting Saturday. The 6-4 guard also blocked a shot.

"(The Jazz) run some really good actions. Guarding bigs, trying to front. That like a Phoenix Suns' principle game. Getting all that back. It feels good. That's not the caliber basketball I want to play, but it's part of the process. I was just happy to be out there with my guys and us get a win."

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.

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