dailyloe.com – Keldon Johnson has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year. This announcement was made on April 22, 2026, recognizing his exceptional performance for the San Antonio Spurs.
Johnson set a franchise record with 1,081 bench points this season. He is now only the second Spurs player to receive this award, joining Manu Ginobili, who won it in 2008.
Throughout the season, Johnson played in all 82 games, exclusively off the bench, making him one of only two NBA players in the last decade to achieve this feat. He became the first Spurs player to score over 1,000 points as a reserve in a single season.
San Antonio consistently highlighted Johnson as the best backup in the league, and voters agreed, awarding him the John Havlicek Trophy. Johnson’s recognition marks his first individual NBA award.
In an interview with ESPN, Johnson reflected on his journey, stating, “I started for a long time. Now, it’s my time to come off the bench.” He emphasized his commitment to analyzing the game and contributing effectively as a reserve.
Other finalists for the award included Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Denver’s Tim Hardaway Jr. Jaquez led all reserves in scoring, while Hardaway was notable for hitting 205 three-pointers this season.
Johnson’s achievement is part of a remarkable two-year span, during which he has played 159 games without a start. He expressed his desire to contribute to something special in San Antonio.
“I knew that in order for me to really be the best for our team that coming off the bench was probably my best possibility,” Johnson stated. He acknowledged the initial challenge of setting aside his ego for the team’s success.
This award is the third presented by the NBA this postseason and the second won by the Spurs, showcasing the team’s strong performance.
