Suns, Cam Johnson Ready for His Return

In mere hours, Phoenix Suns forward Cam Johnson will again touch the court of the Footprint Center in an actual NBA basketball game, something he hasn't done since tearing his meniscus on Nov. 4.

"He'll have a limited role, but he'll be back on the floor," Suns coach Monty Williams said (h/t Duane Rankin). "He's had a really good few weeks. We feel like we've checked every box possible. It'd be a good time to get him back."

The Suns are a far different team than the last time Johnson played: They're without Devin Booker and Chris Paul among others due to injury and they're no longer the top team in the West after losing their last nine-of-ten games.

Yet the presence of Johnson - among others- can help turn the tide and put the Suns right back in the mix of a postseason spot.

"I think the team has kept a great spirit about them in dealing with this adversity," said Johnson. "We're all competitors. Nobody takes losing lightly and it's frustrating, especially when you can't do anything on the court to help them."

For now, Johnson's going to take it one step at a time. His first opportunity will come against a Brooklyn Nets team that's riding a three-game losing streak with Kevin Durant sidelined due to a MCL sprain.

"Have fun," said Johnson on his first game back, though he'll be on a minutes restriction. "Go out there and have fun. Do what I do. I feel really good about my knee, my body as a whole. I'm just going to let it go. Just have fun out there and try to contribute to a win. You watch so much, you start picking up little things the team is doing and I'm just going to try to bring energy to those minutes I play."