Phoenix Suns: Player Grades From NBA Finals First Two Games

Phoenix Suns – Cameron Payne NBA Finals Grade: C+

Certified spark plug Cameron Payne has neither done too much, nor too little during his first two runs as an NBA Finals participant, collectively averaging 6.0 points per game while playing 13.5 minutes per contest. During Game 1 though, he did step into a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 24-20, helping usher some momentum into the arena still unseen until its time. However, Payne simply needs more minutes to really impact the game.

Phoenix Suns – Cameron Johnson NBA Finals Grade: A

Cameron Johnson seemingly saved his best playoff basketball for the NBA Finals. Playing roughly 20 minutes each game, Johnson has gone 2-4 from outside each contest, collectively shooting 5-10 from the field on the series. This comes as small sample size, but as far as “doing your part” goes, Johnson deserves an A.

Phoenix Suns – Torrey Craig NBA Finals Grade: C

Torrey Craig took a shot from a driving Antetokounmpo during Game 2, already proving himself tougher than anyone I know. His status for Game 3 remains undetermined at this time, but Craig has eight points between both Finals contests thus far. Like Payne, his impact has shrunken beside his minutes leash, but he has also yet to make any notable mistakes.

Phoenix Suns – Frank Kaminsky NBA Finals Grade: C-

Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky looked due for a serious minutes increase when Dario Saric went down with a torn ACL, but he only played four minutes during Game 1, and then just one minute during Game 2. He immediately allowed Antetokounmpo to score during that lone defensive set, but it feels lame to knock him for only that. With Craig possibly out though, he seems likely to field more time as we move forward.