By R.L. Bynum
It was an emotional return to Phoenix for Cameron Johnson, who played his first 3½ NBA seasons with the Suns before they dealt him to the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline last season.
Johnson also got the chance to be a spoiler for Phoenix, which was playing its first game with the All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal all in the lineup.
Johnson did all that with 15 points, three 3-pointers, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks as the Nets prevailed 116–112 on Wednesday night.
“It feels great,” said Johnson, who produced a 16.7 game score. “This building welcomed me with open arms a long time ago and welcomed me with open arms tonight. It’s pretty cool when you have the opportunity to come back to a place where the people still support you and care about you.”
Brooklyn (13–10), which has won seven of its last nine games, acquired Johnson, Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder on Feb. 9 in a deal that sent Durant (who scored 27 points Wednesday) and T.J. Warren to Phoenix.
Bridges also enjoyed his return to Phoenix, scoring 21 points against his old team. He and Johnson were key members of the Suns team that lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals. Both got a long, loud ovation during a tribute video before the game.
“It’s one of those moments I’ll remember for a really long time,” Johnson said.
Johnson and Bridges spoke with some young fans before the game.
“I was trying to tell all the fans I’m OK,” said Johnson. “They act like I got sent away to juvie or something. I tell them we’re doing all right.”
After the trade last season, Phoenix lost in the second round of the playoffs to eventual champion Denver, while Brooklyn lost in the first round to Philadelphia.
“Just sticking with the game plan and continuing to trust in it, and everybody had each other’s back, and we were able to pull out the win,” Johnson said.
Day’Ron Sharpe contributed four points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block in 14 minutes for Brooklyn.
Nassir Little cleared from the concussion protocol after missing one game for Phoenix but played with a face mask after his orbital fracture.
Little started in the second half and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. His 3-pointer briefly tied the game at 91 early in the fourth quarter before the Nets pushed the lead back to five.
In 23 minutes off the bench, Walker Kessler had nine points, eight rebounds and three blocks in Utah’s 117–113 home win Wednesday over New York.
Charlotte reassigned Leaky Black to the G League’s Greensboro Swarm on Tuesday, and he collected six points, five rebounds and an assist in a 114–73 loss Wednesday night at College Park.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Kevin Porter
Season statistics — 25 games, 6.9 points, 43.5 FG%, 27.5 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 11–17, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t start; 20:11, 2 points, 0–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, -27
Thursday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next game — 7 p.m. Sunday at Minnesota
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 26 games, 12.8 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.9 3P%, 86.0 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Team record: 19–7, 4th in Western Conference
Saturday in NBA Cup West final: Spurs 111, Thunder 109 — Started; 27:03, 6 points, 2–10 FG, 0–8 3FG, 2–4 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +15
Tuesday in NBA Cup championship game: Knicks 124, Spurs 113 — Started; 23:28, 11 points, 4–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, +4
Thursday: Spurs 119, Wizards 94 — Started; 18:14, 2 points, 0–6 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 2 assists, +15
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Atlanta
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 23 games, 4.7 points, 56.8 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.2 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 0.6 of an assist
Team record: 6–21, 14th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Wizards 108, Pacers 89 — Didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Thursday: Knicks 114, Pacers 113 — 3:36, 2 points, 0–2 FG, 2–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, +/- of 0; left game with right thumb pain
Next game — 7 p.m. Saturday at New Orleans
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 25 games, 11.7 points, 46.6 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 20–6, 2nd in Western Conference
Monday: Nuggets 128, Rockets 125 — Started; 43:03, 13 points, 5–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, +8
Thursday: Nuggets 126, Magic 115 — Started; 35:41, 19 points, 6–9 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4–4 FT, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 fouls, team-high +27
Next game — 5 p.m. Saturday vs. Houston, 5 p.m.
Caleb Love,Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 19 games, 7.9 points, 33.7 FG%, 26.3 3P%, 80.0 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists
Team record: 11–16, 10th in Western Conference
Sunday: Blazers 136, Warriors 131 — Didn’t start; 12:00, 8 points, 3–6 FG, 2–2 3FG, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -9
Thursday: Blazers 134, Kings 133, OT — Didn’t start; 8:39, 5 points, 2–7 FG, 1–4 3FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 fouls, +7
Next game — 10 p.m. Saturday at Sacramento
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Terance Mann
Season statistics — 19 games, 6.0 points, 48.8 FG%, 37.8 3FG%, 95.2 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 23:20, 13 points, 4–7 FG, 2–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, team-high +31
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 3:56, 3 rebounds, -1; left early with third right ankle sprain of the season.
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 25 games, 7.0 points, 59.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%, 63.1 FT%, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Team record: 7–19, 13th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 16:52, 10 points, 4–6 FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, +14
Thursday: Heat 106, Nets 95 — 13:13, 4 points, 2–4 FG, 0–2 3FG, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +1
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. Toronto
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 10 games, 22.0 points, 44.5 FG%, 29.2 3PFG, 81.3 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists
Team record: 11–15, 10th in Eastern Conference
Sunday: Pelicans 114, Bulls 104 — Started; 28:28, 20 points, 8–18 FG, 1–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, -10
Wednesday: Bulls 127, Cavaliers 111 — Started; 30:22, 25 points, 8–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 6–7 FT, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, -1
Next game — 7:30 Friday at Cleveland
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 14 games, 10.7 points, 43.5 FG%, 21.6 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals
Team record: 8–8, 6th in East Division
Sunday: Capital City 127, Delaware Blue Coats 107 — Started; 27 minutes, 15 points, 7–11 FG, 1–3 3FG, 0–1 FT, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 steal, +4
Tuesday: Delaware Blue Coats 120, Capital City 110 — Started; 37 minutes, 11 points, 5–6 FG, 1–2 3FG, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 fouls, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game — 3:30 Saturday vs. Oklahoma City Blue in Orlando, Fla., ESPN News
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 12 games, 5.5 points, 45.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 50.0 FT%, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 of a block
Team record: 10–6, 3rd in East Division
Sunday: Rio Grande Valley Vipers 133, Birmingham 127 — Didn’t start; 25 minutes, 8 points, 4–4 FG, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 2 blocks, +12
Tuesday: Birmingham 142, Rio Grande Valley Vipers 111 — Didn’t start; 19 minutes, 2 points, 1–3 FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, +7
Next game — 7:30 Saturday at Iowa Wolves in Orlando, Fla., Roku Sports Channel
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 13 games, 18.8 points, 43.0 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 89.2 FT%, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 of a steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in West Division
Saturday: Rip City Remix 122, South Bay 116 — Inactive for game
Tuesday: South Bay 127, San Diego Clippers 118 — Didn’t start; 20 minutes, 4 points, 1–3 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 assists, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, -2
Next game — noon Saturday vs. Sioux Falls Skyforce in Orlando, Fla., NBATV
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 8 games, 16.3 points, 51.1 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 58.8 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals
Team record: 8–8, 5th in South Division
Saturday: (at) Texas Legends 126, Austin 122 — Didn’t start; 35 minutes, 24 points, 10–13 FG, 3–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 fouls, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 blocks, +1
Next game — noon Friday vs. Stockton Kings in Orlando, Fla., in the quarterfinals of the Winter Showcase Cup, ESPNU
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 6 games, 20.0 points, 60.8 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 75.0 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 7 games, 37 minutes, 18 points, 7–14 FG, 4–9 3FG, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Sunday in NBA: Nets 127, Bucks 82 — 9:24; 0–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, -13
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Inactive for game
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 6 games, 16.0 points, 47.9 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 13–13 FT, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 of a steal
Team record: 5–11, 8th in Central Division
Saturday: Grand Rapids Gold 107, Wisconsin 103 — Didn’t play; 23 minutes, 16 points, 7–11 FG, 2–5 3FG, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 1 block, -5
Sunday: Wisconsin 107, Iowa Wolves 102 — Didn’t start; 24 minutes, 13 points, 3–10 FG, 1–6 3FG, 5–5 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, +11
Tuesday: Iowa Wolves 110, Wisconsin 108 — Didn’t start; 23 minutes, 14 points, 5–11 FG, 2–7 3FG, 2–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1 block, +3
Next game — 6 p.m. Sunday vs. South Bay Lakers in Orlando, Fla., ESPNU
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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