Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Johnson is ‘optimistic’
Guard strains shoulder; forward nears assist high
MIAMI — Naturally, Heat guard Tyler Johnson was concerned.
He immediately thought back to last season, the moment he began recently experiencing pain in his left shoulder. It was the same shoulder that required surgery in February and caused him to miss the final two months of the regular season.
The similarities end at the body part because Johnson is listed as questionable for today’s game against the Golden State Warriors at AmericanAirlines Arena. The latest shoulder setback has thus far only led to him missing Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It’s not the same pain as it was last year,” Johnson said after Sunday’s practice. “It’s just like a strain. Obviously, it was a little bit more concerning at the time because it was the left shoulder. Coming in today, it feels a lot better. I’m optimistic about it.”
Johnson has yet to undergo an MRI. The team will determine if that is needed based on how he responds Tuesday morning.
“He’s feeling better, but he’s still day-to-day,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He didn’t do any court work.”
Johnson sustained the injury last week against the Dallas Mavericks. It occurred nearly a year after he first started having shoulder issues.
“It’s still an injury that is recovering regardless of whether it feels some days really good,” Johnson said. “It’s still an injury that I got to continue to strengthen and do my rehab with. That’s all it is, is just having to get back to where I was at this summer with my rehab process.”
James Johnson is using being a primary ball-handler as opportunity to showcase other parts of his game. He said he’s nowhere near reaching the ceiling of his new role.
“Just being able to control the ball a lot and not being afraid to mistakes,” he said. “I’m treating it all as a learning process.”