76ers vs. Mavericks: Cam Payne Downgraded on Sunday

Throughout the last few months, the Philadelphia 76ers have dealt with injuries and illnesses up and down the roster. Unfortunately, they face similar issues for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Leading up to the matchup, the Sixers downgraded their veteran guard Cam Payne. Adding him to the injury report as questionable, Payne is said to be dealing with an illness.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Payne will not be cleared to play in Dallas on Sunday.

Payne joined the Sixers a few weeks back, as he became one of the team’s trade acquisitions at the deadline. In the deal that sent Patrick Beverley packing to join the Milwaukee Bucks, the Sixers scooped up Payne after his 47-game run in Milwaukee.

The veteran guard debuted as soon as the Sixers’ first game after the deadline. In a six-point loss against the Atlanta Hawks, Payne checked in for 35 minutes to score 20 points on 44 percent shooting in his first outing as a Sixer.

Since then, Payne’s minutes have fluctuated. As the Sixers added a veteran guard in Kyle Lowry and also got De’Anthony Melton back for a brief stretch, Payne had a more limited role as the depth chart got crowded.

This week, Payne averaged 16 minutes on the floor. Over the course of the last two games, the veteran guard averaged nine points and five assists while shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. With the Sixers continuing to deal with setbacks in their backcourt, Payne could see his role increase at times as long as he’s healthy.

The Sixers and the Mavs will tip off at 1 PM ET.