Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson to undergo surgery on torn meniscus

Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson limped off the court Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, and the team announced he will undergo surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Johnson signaled for a sub during the first quarter on Friday and Phoenix announced he will be out until further notice.

Cam Johnson is out for the rest of the game with a knee injury after he went to the locker room midway through the first quarter. Here is what Al McCoy and Tim Kempton saw. pic.twitter.com/FimLYvpyOz

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) November 5, 2022

With surgery, the recovery period could take months.

Johnson entered Friday’s action off a monstrous performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier in the week.

The 26-year-old scored 29 points — a season high — on 10 of 17 shooting. Johnson knocked down seven 3-pointers and was a plus-17 in a Suns victory.

“He’s a starter for us, so that’s always a tough blow just to see a guy not be in the lineup,” head coach Monty Williams said Saturday. “That happens throughout the season, you just have to make your adjustments.”

Johnson’s injury will further test Phoenix’s depth such as Torrey Craig, Landry Shamet and Damion Lee. Craig took over for Johnson in the starting lineup on Saturday.

Jae Crowder remains on the roster but is not with the team. Johnson replaced Crowder as a starter this season.

Johnson and the Suns did not agree to an extension before the season, and the forward will be a restricted free agent next summer.

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