Suns injury update: Cameron Payne out for Game 1 vs. Clippers with back soreness

Suns backup point guard Cameron Payne is ruled out with low back soreness for Sunday’s Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Los Angeles Clippers at Footprint Center.

“He’s just been shooting, and it’s been pretty limited,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after Saturday’s practice. “We just got to get him to a place where he doesn’t have any pain and soreness. Just checking boxes before he’s able to function at a level where he can play.”

Payne and backup big Bismack Biyombo suffered injuries in the first half of Phoenix’s loss April 7 against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

They both missed the final regular season game April 9 against the Clippers. Biyombo has worked his way back as he suffered a right knee bone bruise against the Lakers.

“Feels great,” said Biyombo when asked after Friday’s scrimmage about his right knee. “Am I going to play? Yes. So, you feel great. It’s normal. It’s going to take time to completely heal, but we’ve got to figure out a way to play through it at the highest level and we’ll deal with the rest when it comes down to June.”

The NBA Finals are scheduled to start June 1.

“There was no way I was going to miss the beginning of the playoffs,’ Biyombo said. “I pray for that so much, man, and I’m just excited that soon we’re going to get the playoffs started."

T.J. Warren also is back after missing three games with non-COVID illness.

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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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns injury update: Cameron Payne out with low back soreness