Keldon Johnson holds unexpected key to Spurs’ bounce-back victory

Keldon Johnson was one of San Antonio’s most impactful players in Game 1 against the Timberwolves. The newly minted Sixth Man of the Year finished with 11 points on 5/10 shooting, also adding two rebounds and an assist in 23 minutes. He did things on both sides of the ball that the Spurs could use more of in Game 2 and beyond as they battle Minnesota.

San Antonio needs Keldon Johnson to maintain his offensive aggression

The Timberwolves, led by Rudy Gobert, protect the paint at a really high level. They made it quite tough for the Spurs to get easy looks inside in Game 1—there's a reason why Victor Wembanyama chucked up eight threes and De’Aaron Fox went 5/14 from the floor. Johnson, though, was unafraid of Minnesota’s fortification, aggressively attacking the basket and converting five of his eight two-point attempts.

Keldon was specifically effective in transition—four of his five field goals came on breaks. He went right into the chest of bigger players to score his buckets, using his strength and downhill momentum to muscle layups up and in. In doing so, he showed the Spurs the key to finding more easy looks going forward.

If Minnesota’s defense is able to get set in the half court, they become much more difficult to score on. San Antonio needs to push the pace and sprint out in transition as much as possible in Game 2 to give themselves a better chance at piling up paint points.

The Spurs made just 27.8% of their 36 three-point attempts in Game 1. Relying on the long ball isn’t their game. They must prioritize interior scoring, and Johnson’s fast-break approach can help them do so.

Johnson may be the Spurs’ best option for Julius Randle defensively

Minnesota’s surplus of size means plenty of individual matchups tilt in their favor. Julius Randle gave the Spurs some headaches in Game 1, taking advantage of smaller defenders like Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle to get to his spots. The All-Star forward didn’t have his best night, going 8/20 from the field, but he was finding the shots he likes, and if he keeps doing so, he’s going to knock them down.

If San Antonio isn’t going to put Wemby on Randle, which likely won’t happen if Randle is on the court with Gobert or Naz Reid, then Keldon Johnson is probably the next best option.

With that big body of his, he can absorb Randle’s bumps and prevent him from getting deeper position more effectively than the skinnier Vassell and Castle. He already spent some time guarding Randle in Game 1, and Mitch Johnson should lean into that assignment further.

Johnson isn’t the most consistent player, and his streaky three-ball and below-average athleticism can limit him in certain matchups. In this series against Minnesota, though, San Antonio will need his strengths if they’re going to walk out with a victory.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow