Suns’ Cam Johnson ready for Finals after missing last game with illness

Suns forward Cam Johnson is back fully healthy and ready to help Phoenix take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals.

Johnson missed Game 6 of the conference finals against the Los Angeles Clippers with a non-COVID illness.

“It was frustrating for sure,” Johnson told reporters on Monday. “Another part of it is it’s Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals and you come down with something like that, it’s like everyone in the world knows, so can’t even take my L in peace and silence.”

Johnson added that he wasn’t sure what caused his sickness and chose to stay away from his teammates to make sure no one else came down with anything.

“I’m fine. It was just a rough night,” Johnson said. “Obviously, if it was something different than [food poisoning], I didn’t want anybody else to get it, so I just wanted to keep my distance.

“I have a lot of trust and faith, obviously, in the guys to the point where I left and I felt really, really comfortable with what our guys are capable of, and I definitely watched the game with kind of an aura of peace knowing that we’re going to take care of it.”

In his first playoff run, Johnson is averaging 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 50% from the field in 20.5 minutes of work.

As Phoenix prepares to face the Bucks in the Finals, Johnson is excited for chance to play on the NBA’s biggest stage.

“This means a lot. Obviously, I watched the Finals every year of my life, and this is obviously something that millions and millions of people around the world would give a lot to be a part of. So, the fact that myself and my team and everyone in this organization has an opportunity to play in it is incredible. I’m just really thankful that I have this opportunity,” Johnson said.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Suns and Bucks is scheduled for Tuesday and will tip off at 6 p.m. at Phoenix Suns Arena.

Catch all the Finals action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.