Curry’s 50 can’t lift Warriors over Suns

Cameron Payne scored a career-high 29 points, Devin Booker added 27 and the host Phoenix Suns easily overcame Stephen Curry’s 50-point night to beat the Golden State Warriors 130-119 on Wednesday.

The Suns controlled most of the game despite Curry’s scoring. The eight-time All-Star made 17 of 28 shots, going 7 of 11 from 3-point range.

The problem for the Warriors was nobody else was helping. Klay Thompson finished with 19 points but shot just 6 of 17. The Warriors — defending NBA champs — fell to 6-9.

Curry’s scoring prowess is expected, but it was countered by one of the best games of Payne’s career. Starting in place of the injured Chris Paul, the 6-foot-3 guard made 9 of 17 shots, including 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.

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Hornets: X-rays on LaMelo Ball’s left ankle were negative, but Charlotte’s All-Star point guard has already been ruled out of Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Coach Steve Clifford said it is too early to know how much time Ball will miss after spraining the ankle for a second time in a 125-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Ball first injured his ankle on Oct. 10 during a preseason game against the Washington Wizards when he stepped on an opposing player’s foot.

Ball had returned to action over the weekend and played three games before rolling it again when he stepped on a fan’s foot as he was attempting to save a ball from going out of bounds in the fourth quarter.

Ball grimaced in pain and immediately limped to the training room and did not return.