Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson has had to step up this season after several players have left the team. Johnson's usage rate has climbed since his arrival in

The Brooklyn Nets (14-26) came into Tuesday's game at the Portland Trail Blazers (13-26) on a five-game losing streak with the players feeling frustrated with the recent bout of losing. Despite the fact that starting center Nic Claxton wasn't available due to right hamstring soreness,

While Cam Thomas was a likely candidate for that role, it was Cam Johnson who ultimately turned into the top scoring option when his teammate went down with an injury. ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst named Johnson one of the eight surprise players of the season so far.

Source: Twitter @erikslater_ Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU Nets tonight at Portland: - Cameron Johnson and D'Angelo Russell are playing first game in 12 days - Ben Simmons will play (Simmons has not played both games of a back-to-back all season,

The Nets will be without Cam Johnson and Ben Simmons against the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday.