PHOENIX SUNS

Knicks’ Julius Randle ejected after shoving Suns’ Cam Johnson

Mar 4, 2022, 10:17 PM | Updated: Mar 5, 2022, 1:52 am

Sometimes competition between two athletes goes on even after the whistle blows.

With under three minutes to go in the third quarter in Friday night’s 115-114 Suns win over the Knicks, New York forward Julias Randle shoved Phoenix wing Cam Johnson right in front of a referee.

Both players were issued a technical foul.

And because it was also Randle’s second technical of the night, the Knicks forward was ejected from the contest as well.

The two had been going at it all game, with Randle delivering a blow to Johnson’s midsection in the first quarter shortly after the Suns wing had come off the bench for the first time.

Johnson even had to come out of the ballgame and headed to the locker room for a short stint before returning. He explained postgame to reporters that he took a shot to the ribs and got the wind knocked out of him.

“I didn’t like that first play of the game that I was in,” he said. “It felt cheap and it hurt.”

That didn’t deter Johnson’s performance on the night though, as he finished with a career-high 38 points on 11-of-16 from the field (68.8%).

He also set a career-high with nine 3s on 12 attempts, the last of which was the game-winning bank shot at the buzzer.

Johnson joins only Damian Lillard (2019) as players who have hit nine-plus 3-pointers and a game-winning buzzer-beater in the same contest.

Randle finished the contest with 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 28 minutes played.

Phoenix Suns

ESPN's Brian Windhorst has the Suns as one of the five teams facing the most pressure post-NBA trad...

Tyler Drake

Windhorst: Suns among teams facing the most pressure post-NBA trade deadline

The Phoenix Suns are among a handful of teams facing an added amount of pressure following last week's NBA trade deadline.

6 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns hit wall offensively in loss to Nuggets

It was a steep uphill climb for the shorthanded Phoenix Suns on the second night of a back-to-back.

2 days ago

Bol Bol...

Damon Allred

Suns’ Bol Bol throws wild behind-the-back pass, sets up Damion Lee 3-pointer

Bol Bol took advantage of early minutes against the Nuggets by throwing a wild behind-the-back pass for an assist and following it up with a dunk.

2 days ago

Tom Izzo...

Associated Press

Tom Izzo ties Bob Knight’s Big Ten record with Mat Ishbia on hand for championship reunion

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight's Big Ten record for wins with Suns owner Mat Ishbia among the former champions attending for their team reunion.

2 days ago

Suns' Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal questionable against the Denver Nuggets....

Arizona Sports

Suns rule Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal out for Saturday’s game vs. Nuggets

The Suns listed Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal as questionable for Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

2 days ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Suns avoid disaster, secure OT win via Booker and Allen heroics

We are better off not reviewing where the Phoenix Suns' 135-127 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz lands on the spectrum between nearly disastrous loss and spirit-lifting win.

3 days ago

Knicks’ Julius Randle ejected after shoving Suns’ Cam Johnson