| | Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (ankle) was injured during Tuesday's matchup versus Houston. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick played 15 minutes and finished with only five points and three rebounds before exiting in the first half with a sprained left ankle. The Suns will travel to Los Angeles for a meeting with the Clippers on Thursday, although it's possible Ayton won't be suiting up. If that's the case, Bismack Biyombo is likely to take his spot in the lineup. Biyombo has averaged 6.5 points, 4.5 boards, and 4.5 blocks in two appearances as a starter this season. Fantasy managers should grab him off the waiver wire immediately, especially category participants looking for swats. |
| | Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (foot) exited Tuesday's loss to Houston with a right foot injury. He didn't return. While Chris Paul was sidelined with a heel issue, Payne took over and averaged 15.1 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 39.5% from deep in 14 starts. Although Paul has since returned, Payne still plays a pivotal role in the rotation. It's possible the 28-year-old won't be available against the Clippers for the Suns' final contest of a four-game road trip. If that's the case, Damion Lee and Josh Okogie may see additional work, even more so if Devin Booker (hamstring) can't suit up. However, both men should draw attention from only the most desperate of fantasy managers. |
| | Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (ankle) and point guard Cameron Payne (foot) were both unable to suit up for Wednesday's practice session after having exited Tuesday's contest against Houston early. With Devin Booker (hamstring) already sidelined, Phoenix is facing widespread absences from key contributors ahead of Thursday's meeting with the Clippers. Ayton has produced his usual solid fantasy production in 2022-23, averaging 17 points and 9.5 boards per contest. An absence from the big man would pave the way for Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo to get more minutes in the frontcourt. Payne has been a key second-unit contributor, with a potential absence funneling more shots in the direction of Landry Shamet and Damion Lee in the short-term. |
| | Phoenix Suns point/shooting guard Devin Booker (hamstring) got shots up at Wednesday's practice, a step in the right direction after a two-game absence due to a left hamstring ailment. With Deandre Ayton (ankle) and Cameron Payne (foot) going down during Tuesday's contest, a potential Booker return ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Clippers would give the team needed offensive thump. The MVP candidate scuffled in his three prior games to going down, shooting just 31.9 percent overall and averaging just 14 PPG. Another absence Thursday would funnel a larger role toward Landry Shamet, Mikal Bridges and Damion Lee, among others. |
| | Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (hamstring) is "hopeful" to play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing his previous two games because of hamstring tightness. The Suns could certainly use him back, especially with Phoenix dropping its last five straight contests. Nonetheless, if Booker can't suit up, Landry Shamet, who had 13 points, four rebounds, and two steals against the Rockets, may continue to start. However, Shamet shot 3-for-11 from deep in that one, so category managers may want to pump to brakes before adding him to the roster. |