PUFF JOHNSON NEWS

Not seen warming up Johnson (knee) wasn't seen warming up ahead of the Tar Heels game against Pittsburgh, Corey Crisan of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Johnson wasn't expected to be available Wednesday, so his absence on the court during warm-ups shouldn't come as a surprise. The forward now looks set to miss his third straight matchup, which should pave the way for Tyler Nickel to see an uptick in his minutes off the bench.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wednesday's status appearing gloomy Head coach Hubert Davis said Monday that he doesn't expect Johnson (knee) to play Wednesday against Pittsburgh, Rivals.com reports.

Impact Coach Davis also said that Johnson's injured knee has improved, but at a slower pace than expected, per Rivals.com. If the junior forward eventually misses a third consecutive matchup, as anticipated, then Tyler Nickel would likely receive an expanded role off of the Tar Heels' bench versus the Panthers on Wednesday night.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't go Tuesday Johnson (knee) won't play Tuesday against Syracuse, C.L. Brown of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

Impact Johnson will miss his second straight game while nursing a knee injury. His next chance to return will arrive Feb. 1 against Pittsburgh.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable at Syracuse Johnson could be available when the Tar Heels play at Syracuse on Tuesday, according to Rivals.com.

Impact Johnson suffered a knee injury before sitting out the Tar Heels' 80-69 win Saturday versus North Carolina State. Despite him not practicing on Sunday, they are optimistic in terms of his availability Tuesday at Syracuse.

JANUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

UNC basketball's Puff Johnson will not play against NC State North Carolina basketball's Puff Johnson was in a UNC polo and khaki pants ahead of the Tar Heels' game against NC State.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • FAYOBSERVER.COM

Gets starting nod Johnson is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game versus Louisville.

Impact Johnson will replace Seth Trimble in the starting lineup Saturday. He will make just his second start of the season.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

'I got your back': UNC basketball's Caleb Love defends Puff Johnson after Notre Dame foul Here's what North Carolina basketball's Caleb Love, Puff Johnson and Hubert Davis had to say about Notre Dame's flagrant foul.

JANUARY 7, 2023 • FAYOBSERVER.COM

UNC basketball's Puff Johnson leans on his brother's wisdom in return from injuries Former Tar Heels forward Cameron Johnson, now with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA, has helped his younger brother navigate being sidelined at U...

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Zero points across game started Johnson finished Sunday's 80-72 loss to Virginia Tech with zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one steal across 12 minutes.

Impact Johnson will try redeeming himself as December continues. He is expected to continue being a part of the Tar Heels' starting lineup while Armando Bacot (shoulder) sits out. But if Johnson continues supplying an output lackluster in their eyes, they could use another backup instead.

DECEMBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Part of starting lineup Johnson is a part of the Tar Heels' starting lineup Sunday at Virginia Tech, according to their official Twitter account.

Impact Johnson is starting in place of Armando Bacot (undisclosed). The usual backup averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds across his five games during November.

DECEMBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hubert Davis on Puff Johnson's return North Carolina coach Hubert Davis talks about Puff Johnson’s return to the lineup following his recovery from an injury

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Puff Johnson provides spark in season debut The junior appeared in his first game of the year, as the Tar Heels put together their best performance of the young season.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Six points as backup Johnson logged six points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and one assist across 13 minutes during North Carolina's 80-64 win Sunday versus James Madison.

Impact Johnson almost doubled the point tally he averaged during his sophomore year. The junior is expected to be a backup indefinitely. Currently, Leaky Black and Pete Nance are North Carolina's preferred forwards.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Warms up but doesn't play Tuesday Johnson (knee) warmed up ahead of Tuesday's game versus Gardner-Webb but ultimately didn't play, Inside Carolina reports.

Impact Johnson participated in practice Monday and warmed up before Tuesday's game, likely meaning that he will make his season debut soon. Johnson's next opportunity to play will be in Sunday's game against James Madison.

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Participates in practice Johnson (knee) participated in UNC's team practice Monday, according to Brendan Marks of The Athletic.

Impact Ideally, Johnson will only practice this week and sit out UNC's game Tuesday versus Gardner-Webb and Nov. 20. UNC head coach Hubert Davis believes Johnson will be good to go before the Tar heels play at Portland on Nov. 24.

NOVEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Friday Johnson (knee) will not be available for Friday's game versus the College of Charleston, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson will miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. Johnson's next opportunity to make his season debut will be Tuesday's game versus Gardner-Webb.

NOVEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't play in season opener Johnson (knee) didn't play in Monday's win over UNC Wilmington.

Impact Johnson was originally ruled a game-time call for Monday's season opener, but he ultimately didn't take the floor. The forward will lily be a game-time decision once again for the team's next matchup Friday against the College of Charleston.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not warming up Johnson (knee) did not participate in warmups ahead of Monday's season-opener, InsideCarolina reports.

Impact Johnson's official status for the season-opener is still unclear, though missing warmups is not an encouraging sign. Assuming Johnson does not play Monday, his next chance to return is Friday against Charleston. Johnson averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.3 minutes off the bench last season.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Set to be game-time decision Johnson (knee) will be a game-time decision for Monday's game against UNC-Wilmington, Zack Pearson of USA Today reports.

Impact Johnson did not play in the team's exhibition game last Friday. He has been dealing with some knee pain over the last few weeks that needs to get better before he can take the court. Johnson is a breakout candidate this season for a Tar Heels team hoping to get back to the Final Four.

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Why North Carolina is No. 1 in our college basketball 2022-23 countdown

With four starters returning, including star Armando Bacot, North Carolina is ready for a big season and ranked No. 1 in our preseason count...

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Expected to be available for opener Head coach Hubert Davis said Friday that he expects Johnson (knee) to be available for Nov. 7's regular-season opener, Brendan Marks of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson has been dealing with knee tightness throughout October, but his head coach thinks he'll be good to go by the start of the regular season. The 6-foot-8 junior garnered modest roles in each of his first two collegiate campaigns, but he did play well during UNC's run to the 2021-22 National Championship game, suggesting he's set for an expanded role this year.

OCTOBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Puff Johnson, former WPIAL basketball star, discusses 'surreal' Final Four experience and his viral moment Johnson got sick during the game, but scored 11 points in the Tar Heels’ loss to Kansas.

APRIL 6, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Suns' Cameron Johnson supported his brother Puff Johnson, North Carolina in Final Four During a Suns-Lakers pregame shootaround, Johnson discussed his brother Puff Johnson and his college North Carolina playing in the 2022 Fina...

APRIL 5, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Men's NCAA championship: Jayhawks played for more than themselves

Kansas was playing for the 2020 team that didn't get a chance and in memory of Bill Self's father, Andy Katz writes.

APRIL 5, 2022

Former OLSH and Moon star Puff Johnson has viral moment in NCAA championship game North Carolina’s surprising run in the NCAA tournament may have ended in disappointment Monday night, but it wasn’t due to any lack of effor...

APRIL 5, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM