Joe Johnson could miss rest of Nets road trip

Joe Johnson has been slowed by a sore heel and quad contusion. (Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Nets will be without Joe Johnson Wednesday night against the Trail Blazers and the team's third leading scorer could miss the remainder of the current road trip, according to the New York Post.

Johnson, who sat out Sunday's win in Phoenix the day after suffering a right quad contusion against the Clippers, also did not practice Tuesday.

He told the Post on Wednesday:

“I ain’t goin tonight,” Johnson said matter-of-factly when asked about his status and availability on the road trip.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time, and me and [Nets athletic trainer Tim Walsh] are just trying to figure it out.”

Keith Bogans will again start in Johnson’s place, a role he might be forced to continue Friday in Denver and Saturday in Utah.

The break could not only allow Johnson's quad to recover, but also rest a left heel that's been sore since the All-Star break. Then Johnson will have to decide the best combination of playing time and rest as the 41-29 Nets contend for a higher seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“I’ve got to get healthy, to be able to help this team,” he told the Post. "If I’m out there at 50 or 60 percent and it’s not getting better, and then the postseason comes and it’s still at 50 percent, 60 percent, that ain’t gonna do us any good.”