Payton is not starting in Wednesday's game against the Raptors, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Payton dished out a career-high 21 assists in Monday's loss to the Pacers, but he'll head to the bench with Dejounte Murray (hand) ready to return. As a result, Payton's numbers are likely to regress considerably compared to the three-game stretch in which he started between Nov. 20 and Nov. 25.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Sets career high with 21 assists
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Payton produced 14 points (7-11 FG), 21 assists, seven rebounds and two steals across 31 minutes during Monday's 114-110 loss to the Pacers.
Payton dished out a new NBA season high in assists while easily surpassing his previous career high of 16 dimes from March of 2019. The 30-year-old signed with the Pelicans last Wednesday after not having played in the league since May of 2022, and he has been impressive thus far. Through three starts in a depleted Pelicans backcourt, Payton has averaged 9.7 points, 11.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals across 26.3 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Reaches double figures in start
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Payton posted 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and eight assists over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 128-100 loss to the Cavaliers.
Payton got the starting nod Wednesday after being signed by New Orleans earlier in the day, going on to hand out a team-high assist total while concluding as one of four Pelicans in double figures in scoring. Payton, who has floated between the G League and the NBA, received an NBA starting nod for the first time since March of 2022.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Thrust into starting role
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Payton will start Wednesday versus Cleveland, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
Marking a rapid return to NBA relevance, Payton will start in his first contest after being signed by the Pelicans on Wednesday. Payton was a quality G League floor general across the last two seasons, while his most recent NBA start came in March of 2022.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Gets spot on roster
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Payton agreed to a one-year contract with the Pelicans on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Payton attended training camp with the Pelicans but missed out on a spot on the season-opening 15-man roster when he was cut Oct. 16. The Pelicans retained Payton's G League rights, but he never took part in any games with the Birmingham Squadron before New Orleans ultimately elected to add him to the roster. The Pelicans will waive guard Jaylen Nowell to make room for Payton, who will provide New Orleans with a more traditional backup option at point guard while both Dejounte Murray (hand) and Jose Alvarado (hamstring) are sidelined. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Payton was a teammate of current Pelicans head coach Willie Green in Orlando to begin his career and previously appeared in 42 games with the Pelicans in the 2018-19 season. Payton's most recent NBA action came back in 2020-21, when he averaged 11.0 minutes in 50 appearances for Phoenix.
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Elfrid Payton: Waived by New Orleans
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Payton was waived by the Pelicans on Wednesday.
Payton was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract on Oct. 11, so he could end up with the G League's Birmingham Squadron.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Rejoins New Orleans
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The Pelicans signed Payton to a contract Friday.
Despite being left off the team's training camp roster, Payton has signed another contract with the Pelicans. It's unclear if he will make the regular-season roster in New Orleans.
Payton signed a training camp deal with the Pelicans on Thursday, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
Payton is not expected to make the Pelicans roster, though he'll add depth at the point guard position. If he doesn't make the roster, don't rule out Payton from being an option in the G League.
Payton was waived by Indiana after being signed by the team Friday. The 29-year-old guard will likely spend the 2023-24 season with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants.
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Pacers' Elfrid Payton: Joining Indiana
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The Pacers signed Payton on Friday.
Payton spent last season with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He last saw NBA action in 2021-22, when he averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 11.0 minutes across 50 appearances for the Suns. If he makes Indiana's regular-season roster, he will likely compete for a depth role in the backcourt.
Payton (hamstring) finished with zero points (0-1 FG) and one rebound in 12 minutes during Tuesday's 125-114 win over Long Island.
Payton returned from a hamstring injury and made his first appearance since Feb. 24. However, he was limited to just 12 minutes, so it appears like he's not back to 100 percent yet.
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Elfrid Payton: Goes on injured listed
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The Mad Ants added Payton (hamstring) to the injured list Monday.
Payton was unable to take the floor Sunday due to a hamstring issue, and the injury looks set to cost him additional time as well. Given that just over three weeks remain in the regular season, there isn't much time for him to return during 2022-23 for a Legends squad well out of the playoff picture.
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Elfrid Payton: Dealing with hamstring injury
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Payton didn't play Sunday against Grand Rapids due to a hamstring injury.
Payton played just five minutes last time out before presumably suffering the injury. It's unclear when he'll be able to suit up again.
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Elfrid Payton: Struggles with shot in return
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Payton (leg) posted five points (2-12 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes during Wednesday's 122-102 loss to Long Island.
Payton was back in action to start the second-half schedule after missing Fort Wayne's final game before the break due to a leg injury. While the veteran guard played 26 minutes and offered solid peripheral production, he struggled mightily with his shot and scored a season-low five points.
