Cameron Payne

Payne strained his right hamstring during the first half of Saturday’s loss to the Pistons. While his availability does not affect fantasy basketball, it does cut into Philadelphia’s depth at point guard. VJ Edgecombe may have to do a bit more, especially when Tyrese Maxey is not in the game. The two-week timeframe means that Payne would not be available for the Play-In tournament if Philadelphia can’t earn a top-six seed.

Payne played nine minutes before heading back to the locker room during the second quarter. The veteran backup has since been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain. His absence for the remainder of Saturday’s game may push Kyle Lowry into the rotation, but it does not affect fantasy basketball.

Once again used in a reserve role, Payne’s streak of consecutive made three-pointers ended at 10 during Thursday’s defeat. He still had a solid night scoring-wise, but those who have streamed him may have hoped for a better assist tally. Even if Payne continues to come off the bench, which is likely since the 76ers want to put the ball in VJ Edgecombe’s hands more, he’s worth streaming while Tyrese Maxey (finger) is out.

Payne was pushed back to the bench with VJ Edgecombe (back) available, but he still played an important role off the bench. He had a monster first half, scoring 16 points with four three-pointers without missing a shot while also adding three stocks. Though he didn’t remain perfect from the floor, he did remain perfect from deep and the free throw line in what ended up being an incredible performance from Payne. This was the first time in franchise history that a player made at least eight triples without missing, and he became the first 76ers reserve to finish with at least 30 points and 10 assists while coming off the bench. The 31-year-old who signed a standard deal to return to the NBA during the All-Star break ended up setting new career highs for both points and three-pointers. With Tyrese Maxey (pinky) set to be re-evaluated in three weeks, Payne will be an important piece for the 76ers for the rest of this month and should be considered a must-roster player after this performance.

Payne filled in as the starting point guard, as the 76ers were without Tyrese Maxey due to a sprained finger. While the scoring output was somewhat limited, the veteran point guard did not commit a turnover in his 28 minutes. With Maxey already ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies, Payne will retain streaming value for at least one more game.

Already without VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers won’t have Tyrese Maxey for at least the next two games. The All-Star guard has been replaced in the lineup by Payne, who’s worth streaming in deep leagues. However, Grimes should be the priority add for fantasy managers.

Payne signed with the 76ers during the All-Star break and immediately slotted in as a reserve ball handler. That didn’t lead to much production in the box score prior to this game. He scored in double figures for the first time this season and started the second half following VJ Edgecombe’s early departure with a back injury after a hard fall. Payne could get the starting nod if Edgecombe remains out against the 76ers on Wednesday, which would make him an intriguing streaming option on a day with just six games.

Payne spent time during the preseason with the Pacers but has played in Serbia since then. However, he is “securing a buyout,” which will allow him to sign with Philadelphia. The veteran point guard will provide depth behind Tyrese Maxey, but he won’t see significant minutes unless there is an injury in front of him. In that scenario, he may be able to provide decent value in assists.

Payne, who spent last season with the Knicks, was signed to a training camp deal by the Pacers after T.J. McConnell and Delon Wright were injured during preseason games. However, the veteran guard did not take advantage of his opportunity, with Taelon Peter outplaying him. During Friday’s preseason finale against the Spurs, Peter played 22 minutes off the bench while Payne logged 15.

Payne will compete for a spot in Indiana’s final rotation. He’s got a shot to compete due to Tyrese Haliburton’s season-long absence and a number of key injuries across the roster. Wright will look to join another NBA team before the 2025-26 campaign tips off.

With the Knicks trailing the Pistons by eight at the end of the third quarter, the home team needed a spark in Saturday’s series opener. Enter Payne, who hit two three-pointers and shot 4-of-5 from the field in the fourth. His production was part of a 21-0 Knicks run that swung the game’s momentum, compensating for fellow reserve Miles McBride’s (one rebound, four assists, and one steal) failure to score in his 15 minutes on the court. Payne can be erratic, but days like Saturday serve as a reminder of the value he can bring to the table. Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night.

The Knicks rested four starters for Sunday’s game, including Jalen Brunson, so Payne was in the starting lineup. As is usually the case for the veteran backup, it was an adventure, but he made big plays on both ends of the court down the stretch to get New York its 51st win. Payne will return to the bench for the playoffs, which the Knicks will begin on Saturday or Sunday when the Pistons visit for Game 1.

Payne is dealing with a minor ankle tweak but is on track to play on Sunday. He likely won’t start with Jalen Brunson ready for a return, so he and Miles McBride should be prepared to serve smaller roles than they have lately.

Payne will be back after a four-game absence, but he won’t return to the starting unit. He’ll play the backup point guard minutes behind Delon Wright, which will likely push rookie Tyler Kolek out of the rotation. With Jalen Brunson set to return on Sunday, Wright will only have one more game of streaming appeal.

Payne has missed New York’s last four games with a sprained ankle. With Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride also out, Delon Wright and Tyler Kolek have handled the point guard responsibilities. If Payne and Brunson are available on Saturday, there won’t be much to gain from rostering Wright or Kolek in most leagues.

Friday’s game will be the fourth McBride has missed with a strained groin. As for Payne, he sprained his right ankle during Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers, leaving the Knicks down three point guards, as starter Jalen Brunson (ankle) is also out. That leaves Tyler Kolek and Delon Wright to handle the point guard responsibilities, with the former having tallied 24 assists and one turnover in his last three games. Kolek does not provide much value as a scorer, but managers needing assists should strongly consider streaming him.

Add another point guard to the Knicks’ injury list. Already without Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride, Payne sprained his right ankle during the first quarter of Wednesday’s game. While he would remain in the game then, the veteran point guard could not play after halftime. Tyler Kolek started the second half and may have to fill in as the starter if Payne is unavailable for Friday’s game against the Bucks.

Already without Jalen Brunson, the Knicks played Saturday’s game without Miles McBride, who was sidelined by a groin injury. Payne can be erratic, but his energy paid dividends on Saturday. The veteran guard scored 10 points in the first quarter, giving a team with a habit of slow starts a welcome boost. Payne’s streaming value for the Knicks’ four-game Week 21 depends on McBride’s availability. Also seeing time on Saturday was Tyler Kolek, who tallied four points, one rebound, eight assists and three steals in 18 minutes. The rookie, who played first-half minutes for the first time since January, won’t be worth streaming if McBride is available for the start of Week 21.