ORLANDO – With all the national debate raging about NBA players resting and not playing when otherwise healthy, Elfrid Payton’s accomplishment this season – appearing in every Orlando Magic game – is a bright spot.
Payton appeared in his 79th game of the season on Thursday, making him the only Magic player to do that this season. Bismack Biyombo, who signed with Orlando in July, was suspended for the season-opener because of his accumulation of flagrant foul points from last spring’s playoffs, but has appeared in the rest of the 78 games.
If Payton can play in Orlando’s three remaining games – Saturday at home against Indiana; Monday in Chicago; and Wednesday versus Detroit – it will be the second time in his three NBA seasons that he has played all 82 games.