Johnson’s next step is more conditioning—not a rushed workload

What changed

Morez Johnson Jr. is still playing under a minutes restriction, and Dallas is treating the limit as part of a deliberate buildup rather than something to race through.

Dusty May said the Mavericks are very pleased with Johnson's progress and pointed to timely plays he is already making. The current priority is strengthening him and improving his game conditioning before expanding the workload.

Interpretation: the restriction helps explain a bounded role after Johnson's first double-digit NBA scoring game, but it is not a medical timetable or a promise of an immediate minutes increase. The useful thing to watch is whether his activity and decision-making stay sharp as the team gradually gives him more possessions.