Keldon Johnson Wins Sixth Man Award for Spurs

Keldon Johnson scored 1,081 points off the bench this season, a new Spurs record. This is more than Manu Ginobili's previous record of 927 points.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs has been named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for the 2025-26 season. The forward, in his seventh year with the franchise, becomes the second Spurs player in history to receive this honor, joining Manu Ginobili.

Johnson joins Ginobili as Spurs' Sixth Man winners - 1

Johnson's consistent performance off the bench was a defining characteristic of his season. He participated in all 82 regular season games, a rare feat for a reserve, and was the sole bench player to achieve this. His scoring output as a reserve was particularly notable; he amassed 1,081 points from the bench, setting a new franchise record and surpassing Ginobili's previous record of 927 points in his award-winning season. This scoring surge places him second in the league for bench points.

Johnson joins Ginobili as Spurs' Sixth Man winners - 2

Johnson garnered 63 first-place votes, outdistancing Miami Heat's Jaime Jaquez Jr., who received 34. Tim Hardaway Jr. of the Denver Nuggets finished third. Johnson's individual statistics reflect his impact as a reserve, with averages of 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He also demonstrated efficiency, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point range while coming off the bench.

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Johnson joins Ginobili as Spurs' Sixth Man winners - 3

A Season of Reserve Distinction

The award recognizes players who consistently provide significant offensive and defensive contributions without the benefit of a starting role. Johnson's role this season marked a shift from his earlier career, where he had started in 205 games. Over the past two seasons, he has predominantly come off the bench, appearing in 159 games as a reserve. This award signifies a successful transition and validation of his impact in this crucial reserve capacity.

Franchise Legacy and Team Context

Johnson's achievement places him in select company within the Spurs' storied history, linking him with Manu Ginobili, who won the award during the 2007-2008 season. The San Antonio franchise has now seen two players earn the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year title. This recognition for Johnson comes shortly after teammate Victor Wembanyama became the youngest and first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in league history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2025-26 season?
Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs has won the award. He is the second Spurs player to receive this honor.
Q: What records did Keldon Johnson set this season?
Johnson set a new franchise record by scoring 1,081 points off the bench. He also played in all 82 games as a reserve, a rare feat.
Q: How did Keldon Johnson perform this season as a reserve?
He averaged 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He shot 51.9% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.
Q: Who did Keldon Johnson beat to win the award?
Johnson received 63 first-place votes, beating Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, who got 34 votes.
Q: What does this award mean for Keldon Johnson and the Spurs?
The award recognizes Johnson's significant contributions as a reserve player. It links him with Manu Ginobili in the Spurs' history and highlights the team's strong reserve talent.