The Phoenix Suns faced a setback on Friday, April 8th, 2023, as their center, Bismack Biyombo, and point guard, Cam Payne, were both rule out for the rest of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers due to injuries.
Biyombo’s Injury
Bismack Biyombo sustained a right knee contusion during the mid-second quarter while defending Anthony Davis at the basket. Davis drove into contact for a foul, causing his knee to collide with Biyombo’s knee. The collision visibly hurt Biyombo, and he was help to the locker room by Deandre Ayton and a Suns personnel member.
Biyombo has emerged as the consistent backup to Ayton for the last month ahead of the postseason, with an average of 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in just 14.4 minutes of playtime per night.
Payne’s Injury
Cam Payne, starting with Biyombo, also faced an injury in the first half of the game. He took a tough fall on his lower back but played through the rest of the first half. However, he did not return to begin the second half and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the game.
Payne has been Chris Paul’s backup all season but has recently been competing with fellow backup guard Landry Shamet for that first spot off the bench in place of Paul. Payne’s average stats for the season include 10.2 points and 4.5 assists per contest.
Impact on Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are already lock into the fourth seed, so they sat Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Paul, and Ayton after playing the night before in Phoenix versus the Denver Nuggets. The Suns eventually lost the game to the Lakers 121-107.
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