Cam Johnson returns in a bench role vs. Celtics as Nets continue to get healthy
Nets guard Dennis Schroder, left, and Cam Johnson sit on the bench during the second quarter against the Celtics at Barclays Center on Tuesday. Credit: Brad Penner
BOSTON — The Nets may be getting healthier but there’s a difference between healthy and fully available.
Cam Johnson’s return Wednesday highlights those challenges. While Johnson’s back in uniform, he’s coming off the bench for the first time in his Nets career.
Johnson was also one of four Nets available that was on a minutes restriction, along with Day’Ron Sharpe, Dorian Finney-Smith and Lonnie Walker IV. Ben Simmons, who is out due to fluid accumulation in his left knee, is also on a restriction.
It’s made for interesting lineup decisions as Vaughn has to shuffle players more frequently.
“You have those decisions that you have to make on the fly,” Vaughn said pregame. “So you have a scripted, minute rotation as we go into the game but you continue to use your feel and your instincts as the game goes along.”
Walker, for instance, had his minutes further reduced after he missed two games earlier this month due to left hamstring tightness.
It’s also opened the door for rookie Jalen Wilson to play more minutes. Wilson's averaged 8.8 points over the last four games, entering Wednesday.
No change in Simmons’ back-to-back plan
For the third time this season, Simmons didn’t play both ends of a back-to-back. Vaughn said that plan will continue for the immediate future as he hasn’t “reached the threshold” of playing on consecutive nights.
Simmons didn’t play both nights of a back-to-back in November prior to his back injury so it’s not just related to his recovery.
“Hopefully this break is helpful for him as he comes out of it and maybe get to a point where we can start increasing his minutes,” Vaughn said. “But we’re just not there yet.
Claxton moves up Nets’ blocks leaderboard
Nic Claxton entered the franchise's top-10 in blocked shots after two on Tuesday gave him 388, passing Kenyon Martin for 10th on the all-time list. Shawn Bradley is ninth with 410.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
