Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Keldon Johnson Wins 2025-26 Sixth Man, Sets Spurs Bench Record

4/23/2026

38 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Keldon Johnson won the 2025-26 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
He earned 63 first-place votes and 404 points from the 100-member media panel.
He played all 82 games off the bench, averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 51.9% overall.
Johnson set a Spurs record with 1,081 bench points, eclipsing Manu Ginóbili’s 927, and helped San Antonio post a 62-20 record, second in the West.

History

Historical Context

The NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, established in the 1982-83 season, recognizes exceptional bench players. Jason Terry won the award in 2009, scoring 1,500 points off the bench that season. Keldon Johnson's recent achievement of 1,081 bench points surpasses Manu Ginóbili's previous record, highlighting the increasing significance of bench depth in championship teams, as exemplified by the Spurs' 62-20 record in 2013-14.

1 of 2

Story summary

Keldon Johnson won the 2025-26 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
He earned 63 first-place votes and 404 points from the 100-member media panel.
He played all 82 games off the bench, averaging 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 51.9% overall.
Johnson set a Spurs record with 1,081 bench points, eclipsing Manu Ginóbili’s 927, and helped San Antonio post a 62-20 record, second in the West.

1 / 2