PHOENIX SUNS

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 fou...

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.

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.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolve...

Kellan Olson

Suns unravel in usual fashion, T-Wolves take commanding 2-0 lead

The Phoenix Suns have made a habit this year of spiraling through self-inflicted mistakes and that continued in a Game 2 loss.

4 hours ago

Mike Conley plays to the T-Wolves crowd in a Game 2 win against the Suns...

Dan Bickley

Suns look more ready for offseason than playoff run after Game 2 loss to T-Wolves

The best three players in the Suns' Game 2 loss were all Timberwolves. Phoenix seems ready for a long offseason more than a playoff run.

6 hours ago

Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen reinjures ankle vs. Timberwolves in Game 2

Grayson Allen reinjured an ankle sprain in Game 2 of Phoenix Suns' matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

7 hours ago

Kevin Durant in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves...

Kevin Zimmerman

Suns fall down 0-2 to T-Wolves with familiar turnover issues looming in series

The Phoenix Suns' defense overcame a turnover-filled start in Game 2 to draw nearly even against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

8 hours ago

Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award....

Associated Press

76ers’ Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award, Grayson Allen receives votes

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player. Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen received votes.

9 hours ago

Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns guard...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen will play despite injured ankle in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves

Grayson Allen will play Tuesday in Game 2 of his Phoenix Suns' first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

10 hours ago

Suns’ Monty Williams: Cam Johnson, JaVale McGee to play vs. Grizzlies