The Sixers snapping their three-game losing streak was thanks in large part to Cam Payne dropping a new career-high 32 points, carrying them over the tanking Memphis Grizzlies.
As a league-wide story it was already overshadowed by someone scoring the second-most points in a single NBA game. Bam Adebayo knocked Kobe Bryant down the list with an 83-point performance against the Washington Wizards. Payne wasn’t going to let that rain on his parade though.
“I was worried about Cam Payne honestly,” he said
at the podium after the game. “I’m like, ‘Man, Bam can’t take my night.‘”
Payne of course had no problem shouting out Adebayo for his historical performance, but he’ll still remember this day for his own personal achievement.
“Shoutout to Bam though,” Payne said. “I’m a big time Kobe fan, so that’s huge for someone that scored that many points in a game, but man, I’m taking it, this is my night. March 10, this is all me.”
It’s been a whirlwind season for Payne who started the season playing in the EuroLeague for KK Partizan of Serbia. The Sixers of course brought him in following the trade deadline after trading away Jared McCain and Eric Gordon.
It certainly took time for Payne to get his feet under him. Before having the night of his career he had been shooting just 20% from three since returning to Philadelphia. That was on Payne’s mind the night before as the team suffered a loss in Cleveland.
“Yesterday, I was talking about being efficient, and I came out and I was very efficient. So that’s big time,” he said.
Efficient is putting it lightly. He went 9-of-10 from the field and made all eight of his three-pointers. It’s the most made threes in a game for a Sixer without missing.
“That’s crazy, like Tyrese ain’t did that shit?,” is how Payne said he reacted to learning that stat.
This type of production was sorely needed for a Sixers team that is 20th in both three-point attempts and percentage.
“That’s a little bit special, but he’s capable of doing that when he gets going,” said head coach Nick Nurse after the game. “He has some nights where he’ll make four out of five and it seems he’s a little streaky that way but when he gets rolling he can do that.”
Proving he was still capable was just as big for Payne himself as it was for the team. He has a chip on his shoulder after not finding an NBA suitor last offseason.
“I feel like I’m good enough to play in this league, like that’s a really good monkey off my back to show people that I’m good enough,” he said.
Payne has cultivated a reputation of being a bench spark both in terms of intangibles. At any given availability he’ll say something to the effect of his famous “energy costs nothing” quote. Not only is he appreciated by his teammates for that, but it makes them even happier for his success.
“He’s had a crazy year to say the least,” Kelly Oubre Jr. said. “So all the work he’s put in, to grind his way back and just continue to be the same person who brings energy and is a spark, up or down, hit shots. It’s always amazing to see him smile and help us in a victory.”
Payne admitted he has to be more consistent to prove himself, but to Oubre’s point, it’s been a wild year for him. He mentioned getting to hang out with his two dogs before the game since he’s only just been able to move them back to Philly. Perhaps they are the good luck charm. Everyone should hope so, since the Sixers’ backcourt could use a lot of production from Payne over the coming weeks.
