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

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with Jusuf Nurkic #20 during the second half of the ...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie out vs. Nuggets

Mike Budenholzer said Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie will be out for the Suns' preseason game against the Nuggets.

5 hours ago

suns...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns start slow, drop 1st game of preseason to Pistons

Friday night's 109-91 Phoenix Suns loss to the Detroit Pistons was not a preseason contest they can really build off, unlike their first two.

22 hours ago

Royce O'Neale...

Haboob Blog

Suns’ Royce O’Neale, Pistons’ Ron Holland II draw laughs with epic battle for loose ball

Suns veteran Royce O'Neale and Pistons rookie Ron Holland II epically battled for a loose ball during Friday's preseason game at Footprint Center.

1 day ago

Devin Booker...

Alex Weiner

Suns sitting Devin Booker for preseason game vs. Pistons due to ankle soreness

Suns star Devin Booker was ruled out for Phoenix's third preseason game on Friday against the Detroit Pistons due to right ankle soreness, the team said. 

1 day ago

Motiejus Krivas #14 of the Arizona Wildcats grabs the rebound during the Sweet Sixteen round...

Kevin Zimmerman

College hoops storylines for Arizonans to watch through the lens of 2025 NBA Draft prospects

There are plenty of Arizona ties among the best prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. That frames up an exciting college basketball season in the desert.

1 day ago

suns, ryan dunn...

Kellan Olson

Ryan Dunn showing ‘fearlessness’ on both sides of floor for Suns

Ryan Dunn has impressed through two games of preseason play for the Phoenix Suns, showing newfound confidence in his jump shot.

2 days ago

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