This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning.
Joe Johnson made NBA history yesterday afternoon just by signing a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics and then last night he stepped back out on a NBA court for the first time since the 2018 playoffs and hit a jumper like it was nothing.
Not bad for a 40-year-old guy who has spent most of his time lately working out with his 14-year-old son who plays high school basketball.
Johnson’s return to the NBA was stunning news yesterday. It happened because of the COVID-19 outbreak in the league that has teams picking up lots of players to fill in for the many absences due to the virus.
This history part of his signing is pretty darn incredible. Johnson, a seven-time All-Star, was drafted by the Celtics in 2001 and then was traded to Phoenix (for Rodney Rodgers and Tony Delk) during his rookie season. His return last night crushed the record for most days between appearances for the same team -19 years and 308 days.
That’s almost 20 years since the last time he played for the Celtics. That’s a long time!
Looked like Joe Johnson was pretty emotional before the game tonight, per the Celtics’ IG story.
Really awesome that he came in and sunk his first jumper back in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/BZs3pt2F2X
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) December 23, 2021
Johnson, who is currently the only NBA player to have played against Michael Jordan (which is just insane), has stayed in shape over the years by playing in the Big 3 and working out with his son.
Late in last night’s Cavs-Celtics game in Boston the crowd chanted “We want Joe!” Then with 1:57 left “Iso Joe” made his way to the scorer’s table and entered the game.
Standing ovation for Joe Johnson as he enters the game for the #Celtics 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/loqQQf7aMB
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 23, 2021
Shortly thereafter he drained a jumper like he’s done so many times in his career and the place went nuts.
JOE JOHNSON NBA BUCKET IN THE YEAR 2021!! pic.twitter.com/gnAAYUuLGD
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 23, 2021
These are some very tough times for everyone as we continue to deal with the pandemic.
But for a few moments last night we got to see something beautiful happen in sports, something that nobody could have predicted.
After the game Johnson said:
“It is kind of surreal, to have them chanting my name like that, and obviously come out and us get the win first and foremost, but to come in the game and be somewhat effective, that’s fun. At my age, man, you just try to relish every moment, enjoy the process and live in the moment.
“That’s kind of what I’m doing right now, just living in the moment. And it’s fun.”
Yesterday was a day Joe Johnson will never forget. And it was pretty darn sweet.
Quick hits: NFL Pro Bowl snubs… NFL playoff picture heading into Week 16… Wheel of Fortune fans rightfully upset… And more.
– The NFL Pro Bowl teams were announced yesterday and Charles Curtis looks at 9 guys, including Austin Ekeler, who got snubbed.
– Here’s a look at the NFL playoff picture as Week 16 starts tonight with the Titans hosting the 49ers.
– Wheel of Fortune fans were rightfully livid over a contestant losing out on a car over a dumb technicality.
– Bryan Kalbrosky has a great Q&A with Oregon’s Sedona Prince that touches on gaining TikTok fame, NIL deals, and her fight against the NCAA.
– Here are our NFL Week 16 picks against the spread.
[mm-video type=video id=01fqj3xpttasxwsw9j7r playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fqj3xpttasxwsw9j7r/01fqj3xpttasxwsw9j7r-5b3b86943caf8e508f63ef776e981e6d.jpg]
[vertical-gallery id=1349904]