Wesley Johnson has breakthrough performance against Magic

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said there’s one silver lining to having starters Chris Paul and J.J. Redick injured -- it gives other players a chance to come into their own.

Wesley Johnson did just that in the Clippers’ 103-101 win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

He had a season-high 21 points off the bench off of a career-high six three-pointers, and he made a big impact on the defensive end.

“It was a great feeling,” Johnson said Saturday. “I know everybody told me to stay ready, so that’s what I’ve been doing.”

This season, Johnson is averaging career lows in points (5.5) and minutes (14.9). With Paul (inflamed rib cartilage) and Redick (sprained right ankle) sidelined, Johnson knew he was going to play a different role Saturday.

“All of them from J.J., to C.P., to the coaches, everybody, was telling me to shoot the ball,” Johnson said.

Johnson had surpassed his season high midway through the second quarter, scoring 15 points on 4-for-7 shooting with 6 minutes and 30 seconds left in the first half.

“Wes shot the heck out of the ball,” Rivers said. “I don’t know how many times guys yelled at him to keep shooting.”

Johnson was asked to speak to reporters on the interview podium Saturday for the first time this season. He sat up there with his twin boys, and said it was his defense that ignited his offensive performance.

“I was really just trying to get my hands on a lot of stuff and really just trying to take them out of what they like to do,” Johnson said.

Twitter: @melissarohlin