Magic's Elfrid Payton: Struggles from field in return from ankle issue

Payton (ankle) provided three points (1-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five assists, three rebounds and two steals across 29 minutes in Thursday's 95-94 loss to the Grizzlies.

Analysis:

After shooting 56.7 percent from the field in his prior three games, Payton reverted to his usual brick-laying ways Thursday and turned the ball over on the Magic's final possession, but he may deserve something of a mulligan since he was coming off a minor ankle sprain that he sustained in the team's previous game two days earlier. Even so, Payton has proven inefficient and turnover prone when healthy throughout his career, and that may continue to keep the 22-year-old confined to a bench role. That said, he's still outpaced starting point guard D.J. Augustin in playing time in two of the last three games, and possesses more fantasy appeal of the two.