Kevin Johnson May Miss Two Games in Laker Series

Guard Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns probably will be sidelined for the first two games of the best-of-five NBA playoff series against the Lakers starting next Friday in Phoenix because of a severely sprained left knee.

Johnson suffered the injury during Thursday night’s 115-114 victory at Portland. The Suns said Johnson will wear a brace on his knee and receive treatments twice daily during his recovery.

Johnson is the Suns’ third-leading scorer with a 16.1-point average.

The Clippers will start the playoffs next Thursday at Houston. The Clippers, the seventh-place team in the Western Conference, will play at the Summit at 5:30 p.m. PDT Thursday, and at 6:30 p.m. PDT Saturday.

The Lakers, the eighth-place team, will play at America West Arena Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

The matchups and sites had already been determined, with only the dates uncertain. Friday’s decision by the league, however, sheds only some light. There is no word so far as to when either series will return to Los Angeles.

Games 3 and, if necessary, Games 4 will be played at the Sports Arena and Forum, respectively. Games 5, if needed, will be on the division champions’ home courts.