By R.L. Bynum
After struggling to find a rhythm in his first three games after returning from a sprained left ankle, Cameron Johnson found it big-time on Monday night, just when the Phoenix Suns need it.
In his first start since Jan. 6, Johnson scored 20 points and tied career-highs with five 3-pointers and three steals as the short-handed Suns earned a big 115–109 home victory over the Utah Jazz for their seventh consecutive victory.
Johnson, who also pulled down six rebounds, started because Jae Crowder was out with a left wrist contusion. The Suns were also without Deandre Ayton (right ankle sprain.)
In the first three games after Johnson returned, he scored eight, seven and eight points. On Monday, he matched his combined field-goal total from those three games (7) and bettered his 3-pointers total (3).
It was his 11th game this season with at least four 3-pointers and third time with five 3-pointers.
Johnson’s game score was 17.6, his fourth game of at least 17 this season after putting up two such games combined in his first two NBA seasons.
The surprise in Chicago’s 111–110 victory at Oklahoma City was Coach Billy Donovan’s decision to replace Coby White in the starting lineup with Troy Brown Jr., who scored 10 points.
In White’s first time coming off the bench in six games, he collected nine points, seven rebounds and seven assists but was 1 of 7 from 3-point range.
White’s 3-pointer with 2:30 left gave Chicago a nine-point lead.
White figures to get the bulk of the starts at point guard with Lonzo Ball expected to have arthroscopic left knee surgery and be out as many as eight weeks.
Tony Bradley was scoreless with a rebound and a block in one minute.
Because Cleveland center Jarrett Allen was out with an illness, Ed Davis started in the Cavaliers’ 95–93 home win over New York after playing in only four of their previous 24 games.
In his third start of the season, Davis had two points, six rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes. It was his most playing time since getting 19 minutes in a Cleveland win at Houston on Dec. 15.
Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic guard
Off Monday
Season statistics — 34 games, 18.0 points, 39.4 FG%, 32.9 3FG%, 83.1 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Clippers; 7 p.m. Friday vs. Detroit
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Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings forward
Off Monday
Season statistics — 44 games, 16.6 points, 45.7 FG%, 41.8 3FG%, 82.8 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Up next — 7:30 Tuesday at Boston; 7:30 Wednesday at Atlanta
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Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls center
111–110 win at Oklahoma City — 1 minute, 1 rebound, 1 block, 1 turnover, -4, -0.4 game score
Season statistics — 33 games, 3.5 points, 56.5 FG%, 76.5 FT%, 4.1 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Up next — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Toronto; 8:30 Friday at San Antonio
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Reggie Bullock, Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Off Monday
Season statistics — 39 games, 6.2 points, 38.2 FG%, 31.6 3P%, 73.7 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Tuesday at Golden State, TNT; 10 p.m. Wednesday at Portland
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Ed Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers center
95–93 win vs. New York — Started; 17 minutes, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, +12, 2.6 game score
Season statistics — 14 games, 1.5 points, 64.3 FG%, 37.5 FT%, 3.1 rebounds, 0.2 of an assist
Up next — 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Milwaukee; 6 p.m. Sunday at Detroit
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Wayne Ellington, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Off Monday
Season statistics — 31 games, 6.3 points, 40.0 FG%, 38.4 3FG%, 4–5 FT, 1.6 rebounds, 0.7 of an assist
Up next — 7:30 Tuesday at Brooklyn, TNT; 7:30 Thursday at Philadelphia, TNT
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Danny Green, Philadelphia 76ers forward
Off Monday
Season statistics — 29 games, 6.7 points, 40.7 FG%, 38.1 3FG%, 9–10 FT, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Up next — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. New Orleans; 7:30 Thursday vs. Los Angeles Lakers, TNT
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Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns wing
115–109 win vs. Utah — Started; 38 minutes, 20 points, 7–12 FG, 5–8 3FG, 1–2 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, +7, 17.6 game score
Season statistics — 43 games, 11.8 points, 45.5 FG%, 43.0 3FG%, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Wednesday at Utah, ESPN; 9 p.m. Friday vs. Minnesota
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Nassir Little, Portland Trail Blazers wing
Off Monday
Season statistics — 41 games, 9.5 points, 45.4 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.6 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Up next — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Minnesota; 10 p.m. Wednesday vs. Dallas
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Theo Pinson, Dallas Mavericks guard
Off Monday
NBA season statistics — 12 games, 2.1 points, 29.6 FG, 25.0 3FG, 4–4 FT, 1.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists
G League season statistics — 13 games, 15.4 points, 40.6 FG%, 39.2 3FG%, 83.3 FT%, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals
Up next — Legends play at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Iowa Wolves; Mavs play at 10 p.m. Tuesday at Golden State, TNT
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Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Off Monday
Season NBA statistics — 21 games, 6.6 points, 59.2 FG%, 33.3% 3P%, 65.2% FT, 4.9 rebounds, 0.3 of an assist
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 Tuesday vs. Los Angeles Lakers, TNT; 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Denver
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Coby White, Chicago Bulls guard
111–110 win at Oklahoma City — 31 minutes, 9 points, 3–14 FG, 1–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers, -11, 4.7 game score
Season statistics — 29 games, 12.7 points, 43.6 FG%, 35.1 3P%, 2.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Up next — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Toronto; 8:30 Friday at San Antonio
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In the G League
Justin Jackson, Texas Legends (Mavericks affiliate) forward
Off Monday
NBA season statistics — 4 games, 3.8 points, 62.5% FG, 60% 3FG, 1.5 rebounds
G League season statistics for Texas Legends— 16 games, 23.2 points, 43.4% FG, 40.4% 3FG, 82.5 FT%, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Up next — 8 p.m. Tuesday at Iowa Wolves; 8:30 Saturday vs. South Bay Lakers
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