By R.L. Bynum
The Phoenix Suns became the first team to win 30 games this season and Cameron Johnson has been an important part of getting them there.
In the Suns’ 106–89 home victory Thursday over the Los Angeles Clippers, he scored a career-high and team-high 24 points, in addition to pulling down seven rebounds, blocking two shots and getting a steal. That topped his previous-best scoring game of 22 against Denver earlier this season on Nov. 21.
Phoenix has won three in a row, four of five and has the best record in the NBA at 30–8. Chris Paul had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double for the Suns.
Justin Jackson scored eight points in six minutes, with a pair of 3-pointers and two rebounds for Phoenix. That’s his most playing time in an NBA game since scoring nine points in 33 minutes for Milwaukee at Chicago last season on May 16.
Johnson notched four 3-pointers to extend his Suns franchise record of at least two 3s to 21 games, which is the longest in the NBA this season. It was his 10th game this season with at least four 3-pointers.
The most games with at least four 3-pointers in his college career was 2016–17 for Pittsburgh with nine. His best total for Carolina was eight such games in 2018–19, his senior season.
Johnson has scored in double figures a career-high 18 consecutive games.
His 21.2 game score was his second of at least 20 this season after getting a 24.9 in a 21-point, 9-rebound, 3-assist game against Oklahoma City on Dec. 23. He had no game scores of at least 20 in his first two NBA seasons.
Danny Green is listed as questionable for the Sixers’ Friday game against San Antonio with left calf tightness.
Green will be in Chapel Hill on Saturday for UNC’s home game against Virginia. He will be honored for a $1 million gift he made to UNC last year to endow a scholarship in the men’s basketball program.
Green originally had an all-zero stat line for Philadelphia’s win Wednesday over Orlando but has now been credited with an assist.
Tony Bradley, who has missed the last six Chicago Bulls games in the NBA’s health-and-safety protocols, is not on the injury list so could possibly return to action Friday night against Washington.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Off Thursday
Season statistics — 25 games, 20.2 points, 41.8 FG%, 35.4 3FG%, 86.5 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Saturday at Detroit; 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Washington
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Off Thursday
Season statistics — 35 games, 16.5 points, 44.7 FG%, 42.0 3FG%, 83.1 FT%, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Up next — 9 p.m. Friday at Denver; 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Sacramento
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Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
Off Thursday
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 Thursday
Season statistics — 31 games, 6.3 points, 37.0 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 75.5 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists
Up next — 8 p.m. Friday at Houston; 7:30 Sunday vs. Chicago
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Ed Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers center
Off Thursday
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, NBATV
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Wayne Ellington, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Off Thursday
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 Thursday
Season statistics — 26 games, 6.8 points, 40.5 FG%, 37.5 3FG%, 8–8 FT, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Friday vs. San Antonio; 8 p.m. Monday at Houston
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Justin Jackson, Phoenix Suns forward
106–89 win vs. Los Angeles Clippers — 6 minutes, 8 points, 3–4 FG, 2–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, +18, 6.6 game score
NBA season statistics — 3 games, 3.3 points, 50% FG, 50% 3FGP, 1.3 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 — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami; 7:30 Tuesday at Toronto
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
106–89 win vs. Los Angeles Clippers — 35 minutes, 24 points, 9–14 FG, 4–7 3FG, 2–2 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, +2, 21.2 game score
Season statistics — 38 games, 11.9 points, 46.4 FG%, 44.4 3FG%, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Up next — 9 p.m. Saturday vs. Miami; 7:30 Tuesday at Toronto
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Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers wing
Off Thursday
Season statistics — 32 games, 8.9 points, 46.4 FG%, 30.5 3P%, 72.3 FT%, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Friday vs. Cleveland; 9 p.m. Sunday vs. Sacramento
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Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Off Thursday
NBA season statistics — 9 games, 2.8 points, 32.0 FG, 27.8 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1.8 rebounds, 1.3 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 — 8 p.m. Friday at Houston; 7:30 Sunday vs. Chicago
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Off Thursday
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 Friday vs. Milwaukee, ESPN; noon Sunday vs. San Antonio
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
Off Thursday
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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