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Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. praised after first double-double
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- Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. praised after first double-double
After recording his first double-double, Dallas Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. earned praise from his coach and teammate for his role in a win over the Utah Jazz .
Johnson finished with 13 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in the 112-100 victory at the American Airlines Center on Friday. He shot 5-for-8 from the field and was a game-high plus-20 in nearly 24 minutes off the bench.
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The ninth overall pick became the sixth Mavericks player to register a double-double before turning 21 (20 years, 286 days), joining the likes of Dirk Nowitzki and Cooper Flagg. His 17 rebounds are the most by any rookie this season.
"I thought 'Rez was amazing," Flagg said . "I think his effort of crashing every single time. I mean, he had 10 offensive rebounds; it doesn't happen without incredible effort. He was playing both sides of the ball at a really high level. I think when he is in that mode, it's going to make us a lot better."
Johnson is averaging eight points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field in nine appearances with the Mavericks. He ranks 12th in scoring and ninth in rebounding among all first-year players early on.
The former Michigan star was limited at the start of the season by shin splints and lower-leg soreness. He looked to be perhaps the healthiest he's been with the Mavericks yet, with his explosiveness and hustle, even declaring himself officially "back" after the game.
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Johnson appears to be gradually coming into his own after dealing with a couple of injuries. He impressed in the outing and showed why the Mavericks were so high on him in the draft.
"Obviously, I'm biased; I've known 'Rez for a long time," coach Dusty May said . "You don't practice, and you don't train, you're not in any type of rhythm, and then because of that, he wasn't in the type of shape that he is typically in. He has got his weight down. ... His energy, his effort—he is a winning player. For a guy you don't call any plays for, if he can get you 13 and 17 without calling any plays for him, we need those types of glue guys."
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. praised after first double-double
