San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson did not avoid the hardest part of his transition when asked about moving from a featured scorer to a sixth-man role ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
“Honestly, I would say ego,” Johnson said Tuesday when discussing the adjustment from averaging 20 points per game earlier in his career to becoming a reserve on a Spurs team now four wins away from a title.
The 26-year-old described the internal shift that came with sacrificing individual goals for team success as San Antonio prepares to host New York in Game 1 on Wednesday night. The Spurs finished the regular season 62-20, earned the No. 2 seed in the West, and advanced to the Finals after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference Finals.
“Being a guy and then having to adjust,” Johnson said. “But I feel like it was a point where you look in the mirror and you want to be a part of something special or you want to chase personal goals.”
Johnson has embraced a bench role during the postseason, averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18 games while supplying energy to a deep rotation built around Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox.
“Winning has been the ultimate reward,” Johnson said. “Obviously, I went from being a guy to coming off the bench and being sixth man, but I feel like winning is the most addictive thing in this league.”
That mindset could be critical against a Knicks team that enters the Finals after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. New York has relied on offensive balance throughout the playoffs, with Jalen Brunson averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists, while OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns have provided efficient scoring support.
Johnson acknowledged the challenge waiting for San Antonio.
“They’re here for a reason,” he said of the Knicks. “They’re tough. They’re rugged. They’re physical.”
The Spurs and Knicks split their two regular-season meetings, with San Antonio winning 134-132 at home before New York responded with a 114-89 victory.
Asked about preparing for a physical opponent capable of scoring through multiple options, Johnson stressed discipline rather than overreaction.
“We just got to continue to lock in and play to our strengths, play to our scouting report,” Johnson said. “But they’re a great team. We’re in the NBA Finals, so you can’t take anything away from them.”
Johnson also pointed to the chemistry inside San Antonio’s locker room as a reason the group has reached this stage so quickly. According to the veteran wing, the bond formed early.
“I think maybe it was summer league last year and I feel like ever since then it just clicked,” Johnson said. “The group loves each other. It’s genuine. We’re just a tight-knit group.”
He credited interim head coach Mitch Johnson for helping maintain that environment after stepping into a larger leadership role.
“He lets us be ourselves,” Johnson said. “He’s been a tremendous leader for us and putting us in the right direction.”
For Johnson, individual numbers have become secondary. With the Spurs back on basketball’s biggest stage, his focus entering Game 1 remains simple.
“Keeping the main thing the main thing,” Johnson said. “That’s winning the Finals.”
