Suns forward Cameron Johnson has opted to not disclose the origins of the nasal fracture he incurred during an April 16 team practice, writes Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
“It’s over now,” Johnson allowed in speaking about the injury. “Can’t go back in time and change it or anything. It just happened and [you’ve] just got to keep on going.” The Suns recently clinched their first playoff berth since 2010, and Johnson has been a key component of their rotation, averaging 23.9 MPG across 56 contests.
“It’s totally on me,” Suns coach Monty Williams said of the root cause of the injury. “I control the practices. Put him in harm’s way. It happens in practice. It happens when you get together. It’s totally on me.”
There’s more out of the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors have provided a new timeline on the availability of power forward Eric Paschall, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Golden State hopes to have Paschall back on the floor near the end of its current four-game road trip, which concludes against the Pelicans on May 4. Paschall has been sidelined with a hip flexor strain since the beginning of the month.
- Though ailing Clippers starters Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley were able to take part in L.A.’s shootaround before a 109-101 loss to the Suns on Wednesday, the team does not exactly know when either player will return, per Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register. Leonard is dealing with a sore foot and Beverley is recovering from a hand fracture. Head coach Tyronn Lue allowed that Beverley at least had made “great progress,” but could not provide a definitive window for either player’s return to the court.
- As the playoffs near, Jovan Buha of The Athletic assesses the best bet for a fully healthy Lakers closing lineup. Within his mailbag, Buha also appraises which players could be the best fit for potential substitutions in that lineup depending on the opponent. The biggest sticking point, despite the Lakers’ complete overhaul at the center position this season, is that Anthony Davis should play at center down the home stretch in any variation.
He got his schnozz stuck in Paul’s jockstrap during a recent sophomore hazing.
If its cocaine he needs help…
The Lakers are reeling right now, losing 20 of their last 35 games, and own the slimmest of margins above the 6th seeded Mavs (1 game) and 7th seeded Blazers (2 games). They have absolutely zero chance of catching Denver for the #4 spot.
Can they win 9 postseason road games like the Rockets did in 1995? Don’t bet on it.
The Clippers could face the Lakers in the first round with Denver only being a game back and nuggets/clippers playing tomorrow. Or if Clippers overtake Suns and Mavs/Portland overtake Lakers. lol i bet lebron comes back soon or they could be a first round exit
Dude they’re missing 40% of their starting lineup (Lebron and AD)
That’s literally half the team.
Don’t trip the Lakers are resting these players after a short off season which Lebron emphatically was against all offseason; starting early that is.
Wally sounds like a love child of Skip Bailyss and Trump
Need the line on who hit Cam in the nose
I wager a flailing arm of Ayton.
NBA not UFC fool. Not focus on only violence
Clearly someone hit him. I would bet on Crowder.
Bet it was a fight that broke his nose, it sure sounds like it