Suns’ Cam Johnson feels ‘all the way back’ from injury ahead of postseason
Apr 12, 2022, 6:40 PM | Updated: 10:07 pm
Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns walks off the floor after the first half against the Orlando Magic at Footprint Center on February 12, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Magic 132-105. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
While the Phoenix Suns wait to see who their opponent is for the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs by way of the play-in tournament, the team is using the days ahead to prepare for the upcoming postseason.
The Suns used the final few games of the season as an opportunity to give key players valuable minutes of rest as the regular season concluded.
One Phoenix player who used the final six games of the season to his advantage was forward Cam Johnson, who missed the 13 games prior with a quad injury.
Johnson said he’s grateful to be back on the hardwood and back to full health with Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Thursday.
“I feel like I’m all the way back,” he said. “Definitely had to shake some rust off and will continue to do that, but anytime you get to play on the court no matter the outcome, it’s a great day.
“It’s something I’m very grateful for, just the ability to suit up in those six games. You learn to take them less and less for granted as you go along … nothing is promised.”
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In his six games back from injury, Johnson averaged 8.6 points per game, down from his 12.8 average prior to his injury.
The Suns could be using this down time prior to the first round as more time to rest, but the team seems to be doing the exact opposite.
Johnson said the team ‘attacked’ Monday’s practice that focused on cardio and shooting.
Phoenix will tune-in to Tuesday night’s play-in game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers to see who locks down the 7-seed in the Western Conference.
When watching other teams, Johnson said he likes to scout who will be guarding him and vice versa. He also said he watches how teams guard the Suns as a unit.
“It’s a detail-oriented time of year,” Johnson said. “When we watch, we are watching all types of stuff.”
On his game, Johnson feels like he’s a better overall player after another year of experience on top of last year’s run to the NBA Finals. Ahead of the postseason, he said he’s ready to continue to fill out his role in front of the Phoenix fans.
“It really feels like when we are out there the fans in the stands are competing alongside of us,” Johnson said.
