Sixers' Amir Johnson takes not playing in stride

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – One would assume that Amir Johnson would have been frustrated with not playing in Saturday night's 135-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

The Los Angeles native had several family members in attendance for that particular game in Oakland. Plus, Johnson signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Sixers in July with the intent to play.

But he said not getting on the floor "wasn't a thing" for him.

The 13-year veteran actually appreciated that Brett Brown informed him before the game that he wouldn't play.

"He said it was a flip-flop thing back and forth with me and Richaun [Holmes]," Johnson said Brown told him about being Joel Embiid's backup. "I can't do anything but respect having a coach come up to you and letting you know when you are going to get ready. With me being a vet, I always stay ready."

That's why he worked out Sunday on the team's off day.

But Saturday marked the first time the 30-year-old didn't play in a regular-season game since Jan. 11 of last season as a Boston Celtic. The DNP came after he played just 6 minutes 47 seconds against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

As of late Monday morning, Brown hadn't informed Johnson of his of status for Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Arena.

Johnson said it's up to him to be a professional. He's not focused on how lack of playing time could lower his value next summer in free agency.

"It's all good," Johnson said. "The only thing I can control is just working, working on myself. That's all I've been doing my career, working to get better. That's an everyday process, working on what you can control."

He's averaging 4.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 15.5 minutes per game.