Tag: Keldon Johnson

Keldon Johnson discusses Spurs collapse vs. Heat: ‘Learning more and more’

After the San Antonio Spurs loss to the Miami Heat, Keldon Johnson spoke about the team’s growth after the collapse.

Heading into the season, the San Antonio Spurs were projected to be one of the bottom-tier teams in the West, but some early successes gave fans hope of a more fruitful season. Unfortunately, the young Spurs seem to have come crashing back down to earth, as they have now lost five in a row and are 2-5 on the year.

Their most recent loss was on Sunday – a collapse against the Miami Heat. The Spurs led by as many as 19 points in the second quarter, but Miami battled all the way back to earn the win despite Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowey, and Caleb Martin all being sidelined.

After the game, Johnson spoke about the loss, noting that the Spurs are still learning and growing. (H/t Jeremy Brener of Inside the Spurs)

Spurs stars stood by Victor Wembanyama in moment of togetherness after loss to Knicks

After the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the New York Knicks, Victor Wembanyama was lagging behind the team. In a story detailed by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News, Wembanyama was saying goodbye to his mom and slated to be the last player on …

After the San Antonio Spurs’ loss to the New York Knicks, Victor Wembanyama was lagging behind the team. In a story detailed by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News, Wembanyama was saying goodbye to his mom and slated to be the last player on the team plane – something that usually leads to a lecture of sorts.

But his teammates didn’t let that happen. When Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell saw Wembanyama falling behind the pack, they stayed by his side. Tre Jones, Jeremy Sochan, Zach Collins, and Charles Bassey joined in as well. They waited for Wembanyama and headed for the plan together.

If one person was last, they’d get a talking to, but could the Spurs really get mad at a group of seven?

Top 3 performers from San Antonio Spurs loss to New York Knicks

Check out the top three San Antonio Spurs performers from their loss to the New York Knicks.

For the second game in a row, the San Antonio Spurs got blown out by their opponent. On Monday night, they were stomped by the Indiana Pacers, and on Wednesday night, in their very next game, they got beat up by the New York Knicks. It was a wire-to-wire domination for the Knicks, who won 126-105.

The trio of Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett combined for 72 points, leading the way for the Knicks. Meanwhile, the Spurs had a rough shooting night from behind the arc. As a team, San Antonio shot just 9-for-34 (26.5%) from distance, while New York shot a whopping 19-of-42 (45.2%) from deep.

That said, there’s something to learn with every game, so let’s take a look at the top three Spurs performers from the game.

San Antonio Spurs Injury Report vs. Knicks: Devin Vassell OUT, Keldon Johnson PROBABLE

Check out the injury report ahead of the San Antonio Spurs’ game against the New York Knicks.

Ahead of their contest against the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs injury report includes a couple of key players. Devin Vassell is listed as DOUBTFUL, while Keldon Johnson is listed as PROBABLE. In addition, Charles Bediako and Sir’Jabari Rice, the Spurs’ two-way players, are unavailable as they are in the G League. Sidy Cissoko is also on assignment in the G League.

Vassell exited the Spurs’ game last Thursday against the Phoenix Suns with left groin tightness, and he is now listed on the injury report with a left adductor strain. As for Johnson, he is currently dealing with left wrist soreness.

The Knicks are listing nobody on their injury report ahead of the contest on Wednesday night.

San Antonio will be looking to bounce back from a brutal loss at the hands of the Indiana Pacers where they got blown out by a score of 152-111. Johnson appeared in that game, putting up 16 points, three rebounds, and three assists while shooting 6-of-12 from the floor.

The Spurs are currently 3-4 on the season. However, San Antonio currently lays claim to the worst point differential in the NBA at a -79, but a large portion of that was because of their 123-83 loss to the LA Clippers earlier this season.

Meanwhile, the Knicks are also 3-4, but they have a point differential of +14.

As the Spurs look to bounce back from their loss to Indiana, they will likely be doing so without Vassell, looking for big performances from Victor Wembanyama, Tre Jones, and the rest of their lineup.

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Lip-readers think Keldon Johnson had a hilarious NSFW response to Victor Wembanyama’s career night

Keldon Johnson is all of us because WHAT IS THIS?!

Victor Wembanyama is a walking cheat code.

At this point, I want to know what Wembanyama can’t do. Wemby and the Spurs have beaten the Suns twice in three days. TWICE IN THREE DAYS.

Wembanyama had 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in a wild come-from-behind win on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Spurs beat the Suns AGAIN. Wemby had such a ridiculous night that even his teammates couldn’t believe it.

As he was on his way to a career-high stat line of 38 points, Spurs guard Keldon Johnson tossed a pass to Wembanyama in the paint. He quickly grabbed the ball and easily dropped it right in for a score over three defenders as they helplessly watched.

The basket forced a Suns timeout, and as Johnson and the team went to the bench, a video of the moment showed him shaking his head and saying something to those around him.

Lip-readers think it was “That [expletive] rollin’.”

Warning: NSFW language.

Not to be dramatic, but yes, Keldon. Yes. A point was made.

Devin Vassell showers Keldon Johnson with praise after Spurs win over Suns

After the San Antonio Spurs wild win over the Phoenix Suns, Devin Vassell had some words for Keldon Johnson.

Keldon Johnson earned the San Antonio Spurs a win on Tuesday night. With less than 10 seconds on the clock in the fourth quarter, he stripped the ball from Kevin Durant in the corner, drove to the rim, and scored a bucket to put the Spurs up by one point over the Phoenix Suns.

Not only did the 115-114 score hold for a Spurs win, but it also marked their first lead of the contest. Johnson ended the night with 27 points, leading the way for the Spurs in the scoring column. But according to Spurs star Devin Vassell, that wasn’t the only way he led the team.

Vassell praised Johnson for his energy and leadership en route to the 20-point comeback victory.

Keldon Johnson ready for big season with Spurs: ‘Ready to prove the doubters wrong’

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson is looking to “prove the doubters wrong” this season.

San Antonio Spurs fans have a lot to be excited about heading into this season. Obviously, the highlight is Victor Wembanyama, who is slated to take over as the team’s new face of the franchise. Guys like Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan should also steal some of the spotlight as the Spurs look to make strides.

But flying under the radar is Keldon Johnson, who is too often left out when discussing how fun this young Spurs squad could be. He’ll be 24 years old soon, so he’s not quite as young as some of the other guys on the team. Plus, with Wembanyama set to play power forward and Zach Collins being named the starting center, Johnson could be moved into a sixth man role.

But he’s not focusing on the outside noise heading into the year. He’s ready to prove his doubters wrong. (H/t Matt Guzman of Inside the Spurs)

“I’m definitely excited,” Johnson said. “We’re ready to work. We’ve been working all summer. … I’ve grown a lot. I’ve put a lot of hard work and time into my body and my craft, so I’m ready. I’m excited to prove all the doubters wrong.”

More specifically, Johnson is ready to show what he has to offer on the defensive side of the ball.

“I’m always excited to learn as a player,” he said. “For me, I feel like it’s about showing that I can defend. I’m an elite defender, and that’s the part of my game I’m ready to show off.”

If Johnson can become a high-level defender, the Spurs will be in good shape.

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3 Spurs players who could win awards in the 2023-24 season

Here are three players on the San Antonio Spurs who could win awards next season.

After four straight years of missing the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs finally seem to have a clear direction again, with that direction being to build around Victor Wembanyama. The first-overall pick is poised to lead the franchise into the future, and the Spurs have a nice group of youngsters around him.

But while San Antonio’s main focus should be on the future, they have a chance to be competitive right away. Wembanyama could be a force right from the jump, and if the right players take a leap, they could be in the mix for the Play-In Tournament. Some of their players could even have a chance at winning an NBA award next year.

Let’s take a look at three Spurs who could take home honors at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Keldon Johnson pitched as Spurs’ next Manu Ginobili

Could Keldon Johnson be the San Antonio Spurs’ next Manu Ginobili?

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The San Antonio Spurs have one of the brightest futures in the NBA, and a lot of that has to do with their selection of Victor Wembanyama this summer. But on top of that, they have a great group of guys around him. They’re slated to roll out a starting lineup of Tre Jones, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama, and Zach Collins.

Where does that leave Keldon Johnson? Well, according to Jeph Duarte of Pounding the Rock, it could see him slip into the role Manu Ginobili once played for the Spurs – the super sixth-man role – that helped them win a couple of titles.

Duarte referenced Johnson’s words to Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News in which he said he’d be willing to come off the bench, stating that the forward could be super useful in that role.

“Bringing Keldon off the bench offers immediate leadership to the second unit and could shape a back-up squad that can elevate the Spurs while the starters rest,” Duarte wrote. “The 2014 Spurs title team was able to rest elders and manipulate line-ups because of their amazing bench.”

Johnson is coming off a solid season in San Antonio, and in a bench role, he could be a great scoring punch for the Spurs. He may be one of the best bench players in the league should he take on that tole.

If he sticks around long enough to help them win, and he comes off the bench doing it, Johnson’s role on the squad and sacrifices along the way would certainly mimic those of Ginobili.

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Who should start for the Spurs: Tre Jones or Keldon Johnson?

If it comes down to it, who should the San Antonio Spurs start next season – Tre Jones or Keldon Johnson?

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In just one summer, the San Antonio Spurs went from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the most interesting. Obviously, drafting a talent like Victor Wembanyama will do that, but nonetheless, the Spurs are set to have a bunch more eyes on them this season than they did last year.

Wembanyama is set to take over as the face of the franchise, meaning he will undoubtedly be in the starting lineup. Gregg Popovich has stated that Zach Collins will start at the center spot next to Wembanyama. And Devin Vassell, a rising young talent, and Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio’s rookie last year, seem like fair bets to take up two other spots.

Pounding the Rock’s Marilyn Dubinski recently wrote about the Spurs’ starting five dilemma, weighing the options of Tre Jones or Keldon Johnson as the team’s final starter.

“With the main part of the Spurs roster likely set, the most debated question has been who will be in the Spurs starting lineup on day 1,” Dubinski wrote. “Top overall pick Victor Wembanyama will surely start at power forward (he is not ready to bang with NBA centers down low), and Gregg Popovich has already said that Zach Collins will be the starting center, so assuming those two facts remain true, then what? Someone from last season’s main starting lineup will have to move to the bench, be it Vassell, Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson or Jeremy Sochan.

“Vassell’s job might be the safest if only because of that aforementioned upside and him being the best shooter of the bunch. Sochan also shares that potential upside trait and can play multiple positions despite being labeled as a power forward, so it might come down to Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson, who will both be returning on new contracts. If the Spurs feel they need a true point guard on the floor, Jones is the man. If they want to get experimental and just want their five best players on the court regardless of position, Johnson would start. Both seem unselfish enough to accept 6th man roles, so it will be fascinating to find out what direction they go.”

Who should the Spurs start next season if it comes down to it – Jones or Johnson?

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