Suns’ Monty Williams: Cam Johnson, JaVale McGee to play vs. Grizzlies
Apr 1, 2022, 3:44 PM | Updated: 3:44 pm
JaVale McGee #00 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Cameron Johnson #23 after scoring and drawing a foul from the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on November 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-100. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns will be getting back a couple of key bench pieces for Friday night’s game against the Grizzlies in Memphis.
Head coach Monty Williams told reporters pregame that forward Cam Johnson and backup center JaVale McGee will play.
Johnson has missed Phoenix’s last 13 games due to a quad contusion and was listed as doubtful on Tuesday’s injury report before not playing in the Suns’ 107-103 road win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
The last time the former North Carolina Tar Heel played was his career-high 38-point outing on March 4 at Footprint Center that featured a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to beat the New York Knicks, 115-114.
RELATED STORIES
Johnson is averaging 12.8 points on 47.5% shooting from the floor and 44.8% from three-point range in 60 games (13 starts).
The 26-year-old wing is also posting 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.8 steals per appearance.
McGee missed each of the Suns’ last two contests due to a non-COVID-19 illness, bringing his total games missed tally to eight on the 2021-22 NBA season.
The 34-year-old seven-footer this season is averaging 9.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks across 15.5 minutes per contest.
In 68 games for the Suns this year (14 starts), McGee is shooting 63.9% from the field and 71.1% from the charity stripe.
The 62-14 Suns take on the Grizzlies at 5 p.m. on Friday, with a victory breaking Phoenix’s all-time single-season franchise record for wins at 63.
Listen live on ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.
