Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson has been with the Nets ever since last season when he was traded in the middle of the night as part of a deal to bring Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns. While that event was emotional for Johnson and his twin Mikal Bridges, Johnson has made sure to press on and give his all to the Nets franchise and their fanbase.
In Wednesday’s 116-112 win over the Suns, Johnson had 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in a performance that made everyone proud, including Phoenix’s fanbase that still supports Johnson. Johnson spent three-and-a-half seasons in Phoenix after being drafted as the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Coming into Wednesday, the Nets were coming off a disappointing 131-118 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday in which Brooklyn gave up a lot of threes to the fast-playing Kings. Wednesday’s game against the Suns was the opposite as the Nets did a lot better in defending the three-point line, in part because of Johnson stayed committed to playing over-the-top, forcing players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to do their work from inside the three-point line.
Johnson scored all 15 of his points in the first half and every one of those points were critical to helping the Nets keep the Suns at bay long enough for his teammates to find their rhythm. Johnson spoke after the game about what getting a win in his first game back in Phoenix meant to him:
“It feels great, you know? This building welcomed me with open arms a long time ago and (to) welcome you (with) open arms tonight. It’s pretty cool when you have the opportunity to come back to a place where the people you know still support you and still care about you.”
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