ON THE SIDELINES : Marques Johnson, Back From Injuries, Makes Warrior Lineup

OAKLAND — Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson has announced that five-time All-Star forward Marques Johnson, after a two-year layoff, has made the team as a backup power forward.

“No question he’s made the team,” Nelson said Wednesday as the Warriors prepared for tonight’s NBA opener at Phoenix.

The 6-7, 33-year-old Johnson suffered a back injury in the 1986-87 season when he was a Los Angeles Clipper and never returned to the court. Last month he joined the Warriors in an attempt to make the team.

“Marques turned out to be a terrific pickup for us,” Nelson said. “He’s been the veteran type of guy we needed. He’s really helped working with the younger guys, and there’s no question he can still play.

“He obviously had to earn a spot on the team, but he’s done that, no question, and I’m very, very proud of him.”

Johnson, drafted out of UCLA by Nelson when he was the coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, will be in the power forward slot with Rod Higgins and, in December, Jim Peterson.

In discussing his comeback, Johnson said, “It was a hard process, going through the soreness and the fatigue and not playing at a level where I wanted to be.”