Spurs have a secret weapon no team is ready to stop in the playoffs

San Antonio Spurs wing Keldon Johnson has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA. A reputation was formed and solidified between 2022-23 and 2024-25 as an individual who couldn't live up to lofty expectations, and as such, his positive qualities were typically brushed under the rug.

Johnson has quietly reemerged in 2025-26, however, as one of the most pivotal members of the Spurs' rotation—and a big game player who can push San Antonio past top-tier opponents.

Johnson was once one of the more heralded young players in basketball. He was a five-star recruit at the vaunted Oak Hill Academy, won SEC Freshman of the Year with the Kentucky Wildcats, and even took home an Olympic gold medal during the summer after a strong rookie season with the Spurs.

Johnson's reputation has taken a hit in recent years, however, with his jump shot falling apart and his path to being the Spurs' answer to losing Kawhi Leonard veering off course.

Thankfully for the Spurs, Johnson has tuned out the noise and gotten back to what made him so intriguing in the first place. That includes the fact that, after shooting just 33.2 percent from beyond the arc between 2022-23 and 2024-25, he's burying 39.5 percent of his three-point field goals in 2025-26.

More importantly, Johnson has made a habit out of stepping up against championship hopefuls and giving San Antonio the boost it needs to pick up massive wins.

Spurs' Keldon Johnson is consistently showing out against contenders

San Antonio will only go as far as Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle enable them to, but Johnson has proven that he can be their secret weapon with their backs against the wall. The numbers seem to support Johnson's importance in that regard, as the Spurs are 25-10 when he scores at least 10 points and 7-5 when he fails to.

That alone would offer reason for intrigue, but Johnson's most significant value is that he typically plays his best against top-tier opponents.

Johnson has seven 20-point games this season and four have been against Western Conference contenders: The Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder. That alone offers reason for intrigue in regard to how he seems to be at his best in big moments.

The trend is far from limited to 20-point showings, however, as Johnson has routinely stepped up with strong and efficient play in statement wins over fellow contenders.

Johnson's uncanny ability to step up with efficient scoring numbers in limited minutes is in line with what so often makes or breaks a series in the playoffs. The stars will take a team as far as they can, but close games between top-tier teams are often decided in the margins.

It's unsung heroes like Johnson, who aren't afraid of the moment and can make the shots that most supporting players shy away from, who ultimately swing momentum in their team's favor.

Keldon Johnson is the unsung hero every team needs in the playoffs

Thankfully for the Spurs, Johnson is already displaying the willingness and ability to do so. A vast majority of his best performances this season have come with the spotlight on the Spurs as they look to prove they can compete with fellow contenders led by stars who have already made deep playoff runs.

Johnson has answered the call by playing to his strengths and overwhelming opponents in several crucial manners. He's shooting 60.0 percent on drives, resides 3.4 percent above the league average for efficiency in the restricted area, and is burying 39.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes.

If Johnson continues what's become a strong and consistent trend of stepping up in big moments, the Spurs' secret weapon will be the ultimate X-Factor in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.