By R.L. Bynum
To say that Cameron Johnson has been shooting well understates what he’s meant to the Phoenix Suns in recent weeks. Stephen Curry may have become the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers leader, but he hasn’t had a streak this season to match Johnson.
Johnson’s career-high-tying five 3-pointers in the Suns’ 123–110 win at New Orleans extended his franchise-record streak of games with at least two 3s to 20, the longest streak in the NBA this season. Curry’s best such streak this season is 17.
It was his eighth game of at least four 3-pointers this season and matched five 3-pointers he scored on March 3, 2020, against Toronto in his rookie season. Johnson had seven college games with more than five 3-pointers, with his career-high seven for UNC in a 95–57 win at Wake Forest on Feb. 16, 2019.
In his fifth consecutive start, Johnson had 18 points, six rebounds and two steals to extend his career-high streak of double-figure scoring games to 17. After scoring in double figures 25 times all of the last regular season, he has done it 26 times this season after 10 double-figure-scoring games in the playoffs.
Johnson was a game-high +35 in 35 minutes.
Johnson’s steal and dunk over Jonas Valančiūnas (below video) less than three minutes into the game put the Suns up 16–5, and they were rolling.
Johnson was a team-high +15 with five points and a 3-pointer in the first quarter when the Suns jumped out to a 42–31 lead. He had 11 points and was +21 in the first half as Phoenix took a 64–54 halftime lead.
Johnson welcomed a fellow Tar Heel to the team Tuesday after Justin Jackson, as had been expected, signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Suns.
In eight minutes, six in the first half, Jackson had two rebounds and missed his only shot, a 3-point attempt.
Phoenix is 29–8, with the second-best record in the league, a half-game back of Golden State.
The Suns got Coach Monty Williams back from NBA health-and-safety protocols but players Deandre Ayton, Jae Crowder, Abdel Nader and Landry Shamet are still in the protocols.
In Sacramento’s 122–114 road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Harrison Barnes had 14 points, three 3-pointers, six rebounds and five assists.
With three 3-pointers, Barnes passed Isaiah Thomas for 12th on the all-time Kings 3-pointers list with 326. He’s played two full seasons with the Kings in addition to 34 games this season and 28 in the 2018–19 season.
Wayne Ellington didn’t play for the second consecutive game, with the only explanation listed on the NBA’s official summary in both cases “coach’s decision.”
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Off Tuesday; questionable for Wednesday’s game while recovering from a left ankle injury
Season statistics — 24 games, 20.0 points, 41.8 FG%, 35.4 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Philadelphia; 7 p.m. Saturday at Detroit
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
122–114 loss at Los Angeles Lakers — Started; 30 minutes, 14 points, 5–9 FG, 3–6 3FG, 1–3 FT, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, +/- of 0
Season statistics — 34 games, 16.7 points, 45.1 FG%, 41.8 3FG%, 83.1 FT%, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Atlanta; 9 p.m. Friday at Denver
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Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
Off Tuesday; in NBA’s health-and-safety protocols
Season statistics — 23 games, 3.7 points, 57.4 FG%, 4.4 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Up next — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Washington; 7:30 Sunday at Dallas
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Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Off Tuesday
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.3 points, 37.4 FG%, 30.6 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Up next — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN; 8 p.m. Friday at Houston
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Ed Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers center
110–106 loss vs. Memphis — Didn’t play (coach’s decision) for the second consecutive game and the fifth in the last six
Season statistics — 12 games, 1.6 points, 75.0 FG%, 16.7 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 0.1 of an assist
Up next — 10 p.m. Friday at Portland; 8:30 Sunday at Golden State
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Wayne Ellington, Los Angeles Lakers guard
122–114 vs. Sacramento — Didn’t play (coach’s decision) or the second consecutive game
Season statistics — 27 games, 6.4 points, 38.7 FG%, 37.7 3FG%, 4–5 FT, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 of an assist
Up next — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Atlanta, ESPN; 9:30 p.m. Sunday vs. Memphis
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
Off Tuesday
Season statistics — 25 games, 7.0 points, 41.1 FG%, 38.1 3FG%, 8–8 FT, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Orlando; 7 p.m. Friday vs. San Antonio
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Justin Jackson, Phoenix Suns forward
123–110 win at New Orleans — 8 minutes, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, +/- of 0
NBA season statistics — 2 games, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds
G League season statistics for Texas Legends (Mavericks affiliate) — 10 games, 22.7 points, 47.3% FG, 41.4% 3FG, 79.2 FT%, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals
Up next — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, TNT; 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
123–110 at New Orleans — Started; 35 minutes, 18 points, 6–10 FG, 5–7 3FG, 1–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, +35
Season statistics — 37 games, 11.5 points, 45.7 FG%, 44.0 3FG%, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, TNT; 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami
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Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers wing
Off Tuesday
Season statistics — 31 games, 8.9 points, 47.1 FG%, 30.9 3P%, 73.4 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Miami; 10 p.m. Friday vs. Cleveland
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Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Off Tuesday
NBA season statistics — 8 games, 3.1 points, 32.0 FG, 27.8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists
G League season statistics with Maine Celtics — 13 games, 15.1 points, 43.4 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 88.5 FT%, 6.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Up next — 7:30 Wednesday vs. Golden State, ESPN; 8 p.m. Friday at Houston
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Off Tuesday
Season NBA statistics — 11 games, 3.4 points, 64.0 FG%, 33.3% 3P%, 4–11 FT, 3.0 rebounds
Season G League statistics — 4 games, 18.0 points, 47.8 FG%, 33.33P%, 85.7 FT%, 9.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 2.6 blocks
Up next — 7:30 Wednesday at Indiana; 7:30 Friday vs. Milwaukee, ESPN
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Off Tuesday
Season statistics — 17 games, 10.8 points, 42.3 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Up next — 8 p.m. Friday vs. Washington; 7:30 Sunday at Dallas
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