DETROIT – Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson is available for Saturday’s game at Detroit (14-39) after sitting Friday’s win at NBA-leader Boston (37-16) under right knee injury management.
Suns coach Monty Williams said Johnson was scheduled to miss Friday’s game.
“It was just part of his plan,” Williams said before Friday’s game. “I think it’s the injury management. We’re just trying to bring him along the best way we can. It was just part of the plan.”
Johnson has played seven games since returning from a torn right meniscus suffered Nov. 4 against Portland that sidelined him 37 games.
He scored a total of 10 points on 3-of-16 shooting (2-of-9 from 3) in his last two games.
“It’s just a lot of management,” said Johnson after Wednesday’s 32-point loss to Atlanta. “Don’t let it swell up. Keep it mobile. Keep range of motion good and strength good. Just a bout I’ve got to fight right now. It’s fine.”
Johnson followed up saying his right knee felt “all right” in his last two games.
“Can’t blame anything on it, but it’s been all right,” he said.
Devin Booker (groin), Cameron Payne (foot) and Landry Shamet (foot) are all listed out for Saturday’s game.
Booker has missed 20 straight games since straining his left groin Christmas Day at Denver. The Suns (28-26) are 9-11 in those games as they’ve won seven of their last nine.
Eager to return, Booker could suit up Tuesday at Brooklyn as the Suns have two days between games during this five-game road trip. He’s been doing on-court activity and rigorous testing of the groin.
Payne will be re-evaluated for a third time next week as he hasn’t played since Jan. 4 at Cleveland. Shamet hasn’t suited up since Jan. 16 at Memphis.
Jae Crowder is still listed on the roster as the Suns have been trying to trade him since training camp.
The trade deadline is Feb. 9.
Crowder hasn’t played one game this season for the Suns, but recently met with the Milwaukee Bucks, who Phoenix granted permission to speak with him.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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