Adreian Payne will make his NBA D-League debut on Friday night as part of what is expected to be a two-game assignment for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Payne has yet to step on the floor for the Atlanta Hawks this season. A bout with plantar fasciitis in his left foot has slowed his progress but he appears to be behind several other players in Atlanta's front court rotation. Sending him to the D-League will give him an opportunity to get some much needed playing time to knock some rust off before returning to Atlanta.
The Mad Ants are looking for their first win of the season after dropping a pair of games to Sioux Falls and Maine. They are led by Andre Emmett who leads the team in scoring at 21 points per game and Ramon Harris who is averaging a double-double in the frontcourt. Their roster also features former Texas standout Myck Kabongo as well as former Auburn great Chris Porter.
They will likely have their hands full with a Bayhawks team that is 2-0 after sweeping a pair of games in Idaho to start the season. Erie has a lethal backcourt combo featuring high scoring guard Seth Curry and former Louisville guard Peyton Siva. Curry is off to another strong start averaging 24.5 points per game and is shooting 44 percent from three-point range. Siva is averaging a double-double in the early going with 14.5 points and 12 assists.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, November 21, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Erie Insurance Arena, Erie, Pennsylvania