The Phoenix Suns sorely missed their usual starting power forward, Cameron Johnson, over the last few months.
Johnson, who is in the final year of his rookie contract and will become a restricted free agent next season, ascended to Phoenix’s starting power forward spot to begin this season in place of the team’s starting forward from the last two seasons, Jae Crowder. He performed well in the Suns’ first seven games, when he averaged 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals and shot 44 percent from the 3-point line.
The Suns found a way to manage without Johnson in the interim and at one point had the best record in the Western Conference (15-6).