Elfrid Payton: Exits with Knee Soreness Friday

Payton was diagnosed with a sore left knee after exiting late in the fourth quarter during Friday's loss to the Knicks, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

Payton managed to deliver a rather pleasant stat line before departing, as he registered nine points, 11 assists and two steals over 37 minutes. His injury was initially believed to be ankle-related, but the follow-up report would seem to suggest it's an even lesser concern than that, as knee soreness isn't something that typically results in a lengthy absence for a younger, smaller players like Payton. Even so, with Orlando kicking off a back-to-back set Sunday against the Pacers, the well-coiffed rookie will have limited time to nurse himself back to full health if he hopes to be avoid missing any time.