Nets' Cam Johnson still participating in 3-point contest this weekend
"I'm going to be fine," Johnson said following Wednesday's win over the 76ers. Johnson played 32 minutes against Philadelphia and put up 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals, but there was a moment in the game where he tweaked that right ankle that has caused him so much trouble over the past month, but he seemed to imply that he will be fine moving forward.
"I'm really excited for it," Johnson said when asked about his expectations for the three-point contest and All-Star Weekend in general. "I'll be shooting and praying. Prepare myself as best I can and go out there and shoot them and live with the result. I'm excited for it, I'm excited to spend a little bit of time at home and kind of recharge the batteries and get ready for these last 28 games."
Johnson has a tough task ahead of him as he will be up against a field of: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who has won the past two three-point contests.
What Johnson has on his side is the fact that he is having a career-year as he is averaging 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting a career-high 48.8% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range. While Johnson is looking to have fun and make the most of the experience whether he wins the competition or not, he has been preparing to potentially win it all.
"Shoot 'em and pray," Johnson said when asked what his strategy is for the competition. On a serious note, Johnson will be looking to do something that hasn't been done since 2019 when then-Nets guard Joe Harris won the three-point contest for the first time in franchise history, something that most Brooklyn fans remember to this day because of how well Harris shot the ball for the Nets.
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