Keldon Johnson Embraces Sixth Man Award Candidacy

Spurs forward open about desire to win prestigious NBA honor

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson has emerged as a leading candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award this season. The always-enthusiastic 24-year-old opened up about the personal significance of potentially winning the John Havlicek Trophy, which honors the league's top bench player.

Why it matters

Winning the Sixth Man Award would be a major milestone for the rising Spurs star, who has blossomed into one of the NBA's most impactful reserves. It would also bring national recognition to the Spurs franchise as they rebuild around young talent like Johnson and French phenom Victor Wembanyama.

The details

Johnson, in his fourth NBA season, has thrived in a sixth-man role for the Spurs, providing scoring punch and energy off the bench. His scoring average of 18.2 points per game is a career-high, and he's shooting a blistering 41% from 3-point range. The Spurs have relied on Johnson's two-way play to remain competitive as they transition to a new era.

  • Keldon Johnson is in his fourth NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs.

The players

Keldon Johnson

A 24-year-old forward for the San Antonio Spurs who has emerged as a leading candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.

Victor Wembanyama

A French phenom who was recently drafted by the Spurs and is considered one of the most promising young players in the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“Winning the Sixth Man Award would mean a lot to me. It's a prestigious honor and I'm grateful to even be in the conversation.”

— Keldon Johnson, Spurs Forward (expressnews.com)

What’s next

The NBA will announce the winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award in early June, following the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season.

The takeaway

Keldon Johnson's emergence as a top Sixth Man of the Year candidate is a testament to his hard work and development, and highlights the Spurs' ability to identify and cultivate young talent as they rebuild their roster around the promising duo of Johnson and Victor Wembanyama.