Spurs forward Keldon Johnson was a breath of fresh air coming off the bench for San Antonio and it’s being recognized and rewarded.
Johnson, 26, was named the 2025-26 NBA Sixth Man of the Year after his seventh NBA season.
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Johnson appeared in all 82 games for the Spurs and didn’t start any of them. He set a franchise record with 1,081 bench points this season, a record previously held by Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili.
Johnson has started 232 career games with the Spurs, but hasn’t started any games the last two seasons.
For someone who had been a starter his entire life, Johnson told ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” that he’s embraced his new role to be a part of “something special” in San Antonio.
“Honestly, you know, it just came down to wanting to be a part of something special here in San Antonio. I knew that in order (to) really be the best for the team, that coming off the bench was probably my best possibility,” Johnson said. “At first it was tough. I had to really remove my ego, put the team first. And you know, after that, the sky was the limit. I feel like my teammates, my coaches, really allow me to be myself. Really allowed me to bring that energy, you know. So my hat goes off to them to allow me to do that and be in the position I am today.”
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama passes the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) in the second half at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on Apr 19, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after dunking ahead of Philadelphia 76ers forwards Justin Edwards (11) and Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center on Apr 6, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) runs on the court against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at the Chase Center on Apr 1, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is introduced before the game against then Chicago Bulls at Frost Bank Center on Mar 30, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Intuit Dome on Mar. 16, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 10, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 8, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts with teammates forwards Carter Bryant (11) and Julian Champagnie (30) and guard Devin Vassell (24) after securing a comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 6, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) beats a drum and leads fans on a cheer after a victory over the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks over Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) and at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) rebounds the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Mar. 3, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass the ball from the floor during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Moody Center on Feb. 19, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) battle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center on Jan. 28, 2026.
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) in the second half at State Farm Arena on Dec. 19, 2025
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama during practice prior to the Emirates NBA Cup championship at the T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 15, 2025
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Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Oct. 22, 2025.
During the 2025-26 campaign, Johnson averaged 13.2 points on 51.9%/36.3%/79.4% shooting splits. He averaged 23.3 minutes per game.
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He was selected out of Kentucky with the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Spurs.
“It’s a little emotional,” Johnson said as he celebrated amongst his mom, dad, little sister and best friends. “It’s a big accomplishment. It’s a lot of hard work that goes into an award like this, especially, you know, through everything I’ve been through.”
He is the second Spurs player to win an NBA award this season. Teammate Victor Wembanyama was recently named the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Keldon Johnson highlights
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson named NBA Sixth Man of the Year
