Johnson out; Suns to face 1st real playoff obstacle

DALLAS — The Phoenix Suns know how they'll replace injured guard Joe Johnson, and they have several chances to regain the homecourt advantage the Dallas Mavericks have grabbed in their second-round series.

But the aura of invincibility the Suns built by winning their first five playoff games, including a 25-point rout in the opener of this series, will be much harder for Phoenix to get back.

The Suns will now have to show their resilience.

"It's not going to be like they give you the title," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "There are going to be a lot of these obstacles. We have to show the strength that we have inside as a team. If we do that, we'll go on."

Game 3 is Friday night in Dallas. For the majority of Phoenix players, it will be the first time they wear a Suns uniform without Johnson alongside.

His run of 287 straight games since being traded to Phoenix his rookie season will end because of a broken bone around his left eye caused by a nasty fall just before halftime of Wednesday night's 108-106 loss. He had surgery Thursday morning, and team president Bryan Colangelo said Johnson will be out probably through Game 5 in Phoenix.

Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse was called for a flagrant foul on the play, but the Suns knew he was going for the ball and said it was a bad call. The league agreed Thursday, rescinding the penalty that comes with a flagrant.

Johnson, who also was left with a mild concussion, told teammate Steve Nash that he didn't remember the game, much less the play. They spoke Thursday at Johnson's hospital room, where Nash reported friends and family were keeping him in good spirits.

Johnson has averaged 19 points per game in the playoffs, third-most on the team. He's been the league's most accurate 3-point shooter this postseason, hitting 57 percent (13-for-23).

Another part of his value to the club is that he often takes over at point guard when Nash rests, something D'Antoni won't ask of his new starting off guard, Jim Jackson.

Instead, D'Antoni is talking about using the league's MVP the entire game.

"I'm ready to do that," said Nash, who likely will be energized by returning to Dallas, where he's still beloved after playing there the last six seasons.