Head coach Jordi Fernandez insisted he didn't want to “overwhelm” the bench too much in his new role after the Nets suffered a slew of injuries on Saturday.
“If you're not practicing, if you're not having time, there's not a lot you can do,” Fernandez said after the Nets' 123-94 loss to the 76ers, which left four starters on the bench with injuries.
But that doesn't seem to be a concern for Keon Johnson, who has continued to ramp up his workload since Cam Thomas first injured his hamstring against the Warriors on Nov. 25.
Saturday again required Johnson to add more.
The 22-year-old shooting guard was substituted after D'Angelo Russell was injured on a night when Thomas was sidelined due to a new hamstring injury and Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) and Ben Simmons (left calf strain). He was placed at point guard. He hit his shin in the first half and missed the rest of the game.
He led the offense with a retooled lineup of players that included Reese Beekman, acquired in the Dennis Schroder trade, and newcomer Tothan Ebbuomwan, who made his Nets debut from the Long Island Nets.
Johnson scored 15 points on 2-of-5 shooting from beyond the 3-point line with eight rebounds, eight assists and one steal in a team-high 36 minutes.
For a player who just wanted a job at the beginning of the season, Johnson showed what he can do as a part of the Nets' rotation.
“I'm just always trying to prove myself and show what I can bring to the league and the team,” Johnson said Saturday. “I feel like I'm getting more and more comfortable every night, but my role remains the same. I don't give it up. I just want to show up, play defense, play hard and everything continues.” I know [from there]. So that's what I focus on every night. ”
Johnson also credited Fernandez's coaching style, which focuses on playing freely, only helping him improve this season.
“It just always gives me the confidence I need to go out there and compete,” Johnson said. “He gives us the freedom to play how we want to play, but he also wants us to play hard. He teaches us very simple things. Masu.”
The Nets signed Johnson to a two-year contract over the summer, paying him $2,162,606 this season and $2,349,578 in 2025-26.
The deal has paid off so far.
Johnson, the 21st overall pick in the 2021 draft, has grown into a rotational role, with Johnson starting the past 14 games and 17 after Thomas' injury in November.
His playing time is up significantly from his previous 16 games average of 13.7 (27.1 per game).
With more playing time, he averaged 10.6 points, four rebounds and one steal while shooting 36 percent from the field. He scored a career-high 25 points against the Spurs on December 27, and has scored 10 or more points in nine of 17 games.
Not only did Johnson prove his worth within the Nets, but he also did so during the early stages of a rebuilding era as the team went through major changes due to injuries and trades. Player availability varies each night. Therefore, the offensive game plan is fluid.
But Johnson doesn't think the situation will be difficult to overcome.
“I wouldn't say it's difficult. We all understand that it's part of the business and this is what we signed up for on day one,” he said. “But one thing we can control is what's right in front of us. We don't know who's going to race night in and night out. We don't know who's going to play, but we're all prepared and ready.” , it's a good time to hope your number is called.”
Considering the Nets' large medical bills, it seems unlikely that Johnson's number will be lost in the shuffle, especially if Russell's shin injury turns out to be serious.
