Keon Johnson continues to embrace opportunity in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine. - Keon Johnson is finding his form at the perfect time for the Maine Celtics. With the playoffs just around the corner, Johnson brings elite playmaking ability and experience off the bench for the Celtics.

When Johnson injured his knee in December, his season was put in jeopardy. Instead of proving he belonged in the NBA, he was stuck on the sidelines. On February 25, he returned to the Celtics, ready to embrace his opportunity with the organization and help them win games.

"Just the opportunity to lace them up, and the environment we have here," Johnson said. "The culture we have. Everyone is trying to win. All the guys in the locker room, for us to reach that next step, wherever we want to go whether it's overseas or get that call up top, we got to win and stack these days together." 

Each time out, Johnson is finding his legs more and more, and he's feeling like himself again at the perfect time. In 11 regular season games, Johnson is averaging 17.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 23 minutes per game. The NBA veteran has come off the bench in all 11 of those games, putting any ego aside for the chance to compete with his teammates. On Tuesday night, Johnson poured in 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to help Maine clinch a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season. Johnson played college basketball at Tennessee and has appeared in 161 NBA games, including 79 with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Still, he relishes the chance to play in big games in the NBA G League with Maine.

"Just getting the opportunity come each night and compete. Each night we've had here recently have been big games, meaningful games. The minutes I've been playing have been meaningful minutes. Me taking the next step In my career and growing with my player development, taking those moments and stacking them each day." 

While defense has always been the starter for Johnson in his career, he's showed off his ability to score in bunches. On March 16, Johnson erupted for 43 points against the Birmingham Squadron. The fourth-year guard went 11-18 from the floor and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line. 43 points is the tied for the eighth highest scoring game in franchise history. Johnson has acknowledged Maine is a stepping stone towards the ultimate destination in his career, but right now he's focused on embracing this moment in Maine as the playoffs inch closer.

"Just the fun that we have with each other. Being able to come and practice but always have high energy when we practice. There aren't any down spirits, everyone wants to see each other get better and we push each other to get better at the same time."

Maine will be either the 7-seed or 8-seed in the NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google and will begin its postseason run on the road next week. Date, time and opponent for the quarterfinal round are all TBD.