76ers' Cam Payne steps up in Game 3 vs. Knicks: 'Energy costs nothing'

27/04/2024 12:41

PHILADELPHIA — When the Philadelphia 76ers didn't need him, Cam Payne still stayed ready to go. Then, in a pivotal playoff game, they called on him. That decision and Payne’s readiness prevented Philly from disaster in its first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Any discussion about the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the Knicks will center around Joel Embiid — his historic performance, how he’s fighting through Bell’s palsy, the flagrant foul that easily could have gotten him ejected. But at some point, Payne’s name will have to come up. Without his performance off the bench, Philly would probably have stared down an 0-3 series deficit.

Needing a boost to their rotation, the Sixers turned to Payne and he immediately delivered. The scoring Payne brought was typical of his game and played a huge part in Philly’s 125-114 win. So too was the energy he brought, which he said he prides himself "a lot" on.

"Energy costs nothing," Payne said. "We, as humans,wefeedoffenergy. Wefeedoffconfidence. Wefeedoffthingsbut [if] you’realwaysnegative on somebody, you may notget their fullpotential.  Sometimes, a lot of the bench guys, that’s our job to keep givingguysconfidence, keepshowinglove to the guys that’s out there playingbecauseyou never know when you might be out there and you want thatenergyback. You want that. It brings confidence to the team."

Cam Payne sinks back-to-back threes off the bench for Philly! pic.twitter.com/edyVAwCOcv

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2024

Payne said previously that his bouncing around on the bench to celebrate his teammates also helps keep his body ready to play. Although there wasn't as much to celebrate in the first two games of the series — both tight contests that ended in Sixers losses — Payne stayed prepared and made the most of his opportunity.

Cam Payne provides spark off the bench in 76ers’ Game 3 win vs. Knicks

Cam Payne became the first 76ers player in this series to score double digits off the bench, tallying 11 points, three assists and two blocks on 4-7 shooting. He had a feeling he would get a chance to play based on conversations with the coaching staff and his own observations of how the games played out and where he could help the Sixers.

"He was awesome. Hecertainlydida good job," Nick Nurse said of Payne’s performance.

Payne gave credit to trainer Robbie Haught, who traveled to work out with Payne during the Sixers’ off days. He got his mental reps in during the game, noticing how Philly guards its opponents, the little mistakes to clean up and how the referees are calling the game.

Philly’s bench had struggled to keep up with New York’s in the first two games of the series, an issue that illustrates the all-around lackluster support that Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have gotten this series. Payne thought he would get a shot to make an impact in Game 2 after playing just a couple of minutes in Game 1.

Before Game 2, Nurse went as far as to say Payne will "for sure" get a chance to play, noting the veteran guard’s desire to get some actual minutes. Even with Maxey battling a nasty illness in that game, Payne never played.

"Sometimesthat’s just how it goes. Youmightget in, youmight not," Payne said. "Butyougottakeepthesamemindset. It’s a four-game seriesso you gottakeep the same mindset ’cause you never know when the opportunity [is] there. If I would’vebeendownandmad,I probably wouldn’t have donewhat I didtonight.Andthat’s just how the NBAgoes."

Staying "locked in," as Payne put it, is an effort made for a reward that isn't always likely, let alone guaranteed. Right now, Nurse seems comfortable running a rotation of eight players. With the starting five, Nico Batum and Paul Reed already locked into spots, there's only one up for grabs for the other eight guys.

Payne making a difference in Round 1

Payne is a capable ball-handler and the quickest/fastest player on the team besides Maxey. He can shoot from various locations on the court and brings his energy on defense, too. Now that he proved how valuable his bundle of skills is, Nurse is likely to give him the first shake at minutes as the backup guard.

"He was big-time," Maxey said. "Big-time.I mean, tonotplay an entiregame,howevermanydayswe were offandcomerightinandbang threethrees,it’sbig-time…We appreciatehim.We’re gonna needsome more of that and forsome other guys,as well, to stepup and makebigshots."

It also benefits the Sixers to have someone who can simply do their job and have fun while doing it. Payne plays with an unshakable joy, always ready to celebrate a shot and get the crowd fired up. As serious as the playoffs are, he noted that it’s still a competition of "a child’s game." Amid the rush of the competitiveness of the postseason — and the extra increased physicality in this particular series — it can be easy to forget the fun that is supposed to come when playing a sport. When Payne plays, he makes sure to be a bright, energetic reminder.

Positive energy, quickness, shooting and a knack for scoring are traits that the Sixers’ All-Star guard is known for. Payne having similar calling cards allows the Sixers to attack defenses in a similar way when Maxey sits. It also keeps their spirits going.

"Everybody says I’m positive," Maxey said. "But, like, he’s extremely positive. He’s just jumping around having a great time and he makes you wanna go out there and really compete with your brothers. And he’s always vocal on the bench. He’salwaystellingme — not just myself, but everybody — [to] stayaggressive,stay ready, goout there and bewho you are."

There will be at least two more games in this series, starting with Game 4 on Sunday. Cam Payne doesn't know how much playing time he’ll get — or if he even gets any at all. But he does know how he’ll prepare and approach the coming days as the 76ers look to beat the Knicks.

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