Nets reserve Keon Johnson sparks torrid run in win over Bulls

The Nets saw another unexpected new energy off of the bench on Friday night.

After holding just a seven point lead to cap off the first quarter, Keon Johnson powered the Nets to their largest lead of the game — 17 points — off of only five minutes of play in the second quarter of their eventual 120-112 victory.

The four-year guard subbed in for Noah Clowney as the Nets led 43-33 and started off his tear with a reverse layup.

He then went downhill for a layup and then shot two three pointers to go on 10-point run as the sole scorer for the Nets in those minutes before a Bulls timeout.

Following the timeout, Johnson added another layup to cap off his season-high 12 points of the night along with a block and a steal across a total of nine minutes, as he later started the fourth quarter for the Nets.

After the victory, Johnson admitted he wasn’t even calling for the ball when he was on his hot streak and rather was telling his teammates to give him a break.

“I felt like I was running up the court maybe four or five times just so quick,” he said with a laugh. “Just playing hard. I know that ball’s going to find me within our offensive system and just stay locked in on that defensive end.”

Johnson, who was a plus four while on the court on Friday, also was called upon by the Nets against the Grizzlies on Wednesday and scored four points, grabbed seven rebounds, and tallied one assist and one steal across 15 minutes.

“He was amazing in that five minute run,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said after the win. “… Those nine minutes are extremely important. And Keon was a huge part. The same that CT [Cam Thomas] did, he did his job, Keon did his job. He won his minutes. Obviously, he scored, but the reality is you always have to be ready. He helped the team in Memphis. He helped the team tonight and that’s the type of energy we need to create that good competitiveness with this group. Everybody else stay ready. Everybody else, when your name is called, just be ready to make an impact.”

After giving as many free throws as 47 to the Nuggets in their fourth game of the season, the Nets limited the Bulls to only 24 free-throw attempts of which they made 19.

They also tallied a season-high 19 fast-break points in the win.

Trendon Watford, who was initially set to be available for Friday, was eventually ruled out after experiencing a flare up in his left hamstring during warm-ups.

The injury has sidelined him since the second day of the Nets training camp.