Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson has surgery, expected to return in 1 to 2 months

Cameron Johnson had surgery Tuesday to remove part of his right meniscus and is expected to be out for one to two months, according to ESPN. Johnson tore his right meniscus in Friday’s home loss to Portland when he tried to plant his right leg while trying to change directions. The news is a bit of a relief, considering more extensive surgery could have ended his season.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson to have knee surgery, could miss significant time, is 4th UNC alum dealing with injuries

A season that started with so much promise for Cameron Johnson has taken a painful and frustrating turn. He left Friday’s Phoenix Suns game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a knee injury and the team announced Sunday that Johnson tore the meniscus in his right knee, will undergo surgery and is out “until further notice.” His recovery period could take months.

Tar Heels in NBA: Johnson’s white-hot shooting night, tough defense lead Suns to fifth straight win; Barnes scores 16

Cameron Johnson had one of those nights players dream about in the NBA — he was at the top of his game at both ends of the court. With star teammate Devin Booker struggling with his shot and in late foul trouble, Johnson led Phoenix to a 116–107 home victory Tuesday over Minnesota. The 6–8 Johnson, in his fourth NBA season but first as a starter, also took on the challenge of guarding 7–0 Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Tar Heels in NBA: White, Johnson have their best games of season; Anthony gets contract extension

There was good and bad for former UNC point guards Coby White and Cole Anthony on Friday, and it was all good for Cameron Johnson. Although his Chicago Bulls (3–3) lost on Friday night, White had his best game of the season. While Cole Anthony didn’t play because of an injury, he had a good day off the court because the Orlando Magic extended his contract through the 2023–24 season. Johnson scored a season-high 16 points as the 4–1 Phoenix Suns rolled to a win.

Tar Heels in NBA: Barnes has best game of season in loss to Grizzlies; Anthony out indefinitely; Bullock, Mavs top Nets in OT

Harrison Barnes nearly equaled his point total from the first three games with 20 points on Thursday night, the second-best total by a UNC alum this season, to shake out of his early-season offensive struggles. That wasn’t enough, though, to keep Sacramento Kings from falling to 0–4 as the Kings lost at home to the Memphis Grizzlies 125–110.

Tar Heels in NBA: Tough shooting games for Anthony, Bullock, Johnson; Anthony suffers oblique injury

Several former UNC players have begun the season struggling with their shots, and that continued this week for Cole Anthony, Reggie Bullock and Cameron Johnson, while others simply aren’t getting off many shots. Harrison Barnes gets a chance Thursday to shake off his tough start. Anthony’s poor shooting continued as Orlando fell to an NBA-worst 0–5 with a 99–89 loss at Cleveland. He was 2 of 10 from the floor and 1 of 5 on 3-point attempts, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.