Keldon

Johnson

Johnson, the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, was inserted into the Spurs’ starting lineup on Monday. Obviously, he won’t be asked to fill that role very often once the regular season begins. Another issue for Johnson’s fantasy outlook is the emergence of Dylan Harper, even though they don’t play the same position, and the addition of Tobias Harris. The deeper rotation means someone will lose playing time, and that could be Johnson.

Harper had a monster Game 1 but was forced out of Game 2 after only 25 minutes with what was believed to be a right leg injury. An MRI revealed a right adductor injury, and there’s a chance Harper is forced to sit out Game 3. De’Aaron Fox (ankle) is also questionable, and San Antonio’s backcourt could be shorthanded in a pivotal home showdown. Keldon Johnson and Jordan McLaughlin could be in line for expanded roles, with Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell doing some heavy lifting.

Harper, who started the first two games of the Western Conference Finals for the injured De’Aaron Fox (ankle), exited Game 2 after playing 25 minutes due to a sore right adductor. How impactful his absence would be in Game 3 depends on Fox; if the veteran point guard can return, the Spurs will be able to compensate for Harper’s absence. However, if both sit, Keldon Johnson could move into the starting lineup, with Jordan McLaughlin’s playing time increasing.

Having averaged 8.8 points per game in the first four games of the series, Johnson stepped up in a big way in Game 5. Aggressive from the start, the Spurs forward finished with a playoff career-high 21 points. Johnson wasn’t the only Spurs reserve to step up on Tuesday, as rookie Dylan Harper added a double-double with 12 points (5-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot. A win in Game 6 on Friday would send the Spurs to the conference finals for the first time since 2017.

The Spurs outscored Portland by a 73-35 margin in the second half, and Fox played a major part in that. He scored 18 of his 28 points in the second half and also had a few key assists to Keldon Johnson (9/1/1/1 with one three-pointer) in the fourth quarter. Fox put up a complete stat line in Game 4, and he’ll look to do the same in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Spurs hold a 3-1 series lead, so Sunday may have been their last visit to Portland this season.

Two days after his teammate, Victor Wembanyama, won Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson now brings home the Sixth Man award. The honor highlights the seventh-year forward’s contributions and impact off the bench, averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in all 82 regular-season games. He joins Manu Ginobili as the only Spurs players to win the award.

The clear betting favorite for Sixth Man of the Year, Johnson was able to turn in another strong performance in this game. He still isn’t a great option in category leagues; he simply doesn’t produce in enough categories consistently. However, he has had his most efficient season this year and has been a reliable scoring option off the bench for San Antonio all season long. He has yet to miss a game, so he may suit up for the season finale despite the Spurs already locked in as the second seed in the West.

Johnson was one of six Spurs to finish Wednesday’s victory in double figures, recording his first 20-point stat line since March 23. Yet to miss a game this season, Johnson is the clear betting favorite to win NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and with good reason. The Spurs forward has been consistently productive off the bench, one of the many reasons why San Antonio has the second-best record in the NBA.

Harper was one of three Spurs reserves to score in double figures on Monday, with Keldon Johnson (15/2/1/1 with two three-pointers) and Luke Kornet (10 points, five rebounds and one assist) being the others. Over the past two weeks, Harper has averaged 14.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.9 three-pointers per game. Backing up Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox does limit the rookie’s fantasy ceiling, but he has offered a solid floor since the All-Star break

Due to the lack of defensive production, Johnson offers limited value in most category league formats. However, he can be an asset in points leagues, especially on nights when the Spurs are shorthanded. With Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell out, there were more opportunities for Johnson to score, and he took advantage. The 24 points were the most he’s scored in a game since dropping 25 in a February 4 win over the Thunder.