Suns update: What to know about injuries to Shamet, Johnson, Payne heading toward opener

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams said after Monday's practice that everyone is pretty much good to go for Wednesday's season opener against Dallas with the exception of Landry Shamet.

Williams is listing him as day-to-day. Shamet suffered a left hip strain that developed after having tightness in practice following the preseason win over the Lakers in Las Vegas.

Shamet has been getting up shots and moving around, but didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage.

So what does that mean?

Cam Johnson and Cameron Payne should be ready to play after missing the last two preseason games with hand injuries suffered against the Lakers in Las Vegas.

Johnson sprained his right thumb and Payne sprained his right finger.

Payne's role will remain the backup point guard to Chris Paul. With him being left handed, Payne won't rely as much on his right hand as Johnson, who shoots right handed.

The Suns need Payne to return to the form he showed in the 2020-21 season when they reached the finals.

As for Johnson, he missed time working with the starters in two preseason games. Although he started 16 games last season, Johnson would've benefitted from playing preseason minutes with fellow starters Paul, Devin Booker,  Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges.

Williams talked about wanting to take Johnson out in the first quarter and bring him out to start the second quarter with players from the second unit. That would put him back in his comfort zone of being the team's sixth man.

However, Williams also is looking to stagger the lineups so he can have starters on the court with key reserves like Jock Landale, Damion Lee and Payne. So Johnson is going to play big minutes, but did he miss out on key game reps in the preseason with the injury.

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: Phoenix Suns update: Shamet day-to-day, rest of roster good for opener