San Antonio Spurs player Keldon Johnson will be coming off the bench for the foreseeable future, as confirmed by multiple sources, including coach Gregg Popovich. This strategic change is aimed at strengthening the second unit and providing more offensive opportunities for players like Wemby and Vassell. Julian Champagnie started for the second consecutive game in Johnson's stead, while the new starting lineup of Branham, Vassell, Champagnie, Sochan, and Wemby has only been on the floor for 6 possessions together this season. During the recent game against the Jazz, Wemby made an impact with a pull-up three, a block within the first few minutes, and finished the first half with 10 points, including 6 in the paint. Notably, Wemby has blocked his 4th 3PT shot this season, contributing to his total of 79 blocks. Collin Sexton also made a highlight with a self-assisted 360 dunk. Johnson has accepted his new role, stating, 'It’s what my team needs. When he told me it’s what we needed, it was OK.'
Julian Champagnie now has 14 blocks this season. He's 1 of 4 Spurs players with more than 10 blocks: Wemby 79 Collins 23 Bassey 17 (before being injured) Champagnie 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 - Keldon/Sochan each
The new starting lineup logged just 16 possessions together last night. Once Pop pulled Branham in the second half, that group never returned to the floor for the remainder of the game. 22 poss, -27.3 net per CTG (very small sample size) https://t.co/1BNcfxWzQI
When it came time for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to move his longest-tenured starter to the bench, all Keldon Johnson needed to hear was one thing. “It’s what my team needs. When he told me it’s what we needed, it was OK.” https://t.co/VoGal3HP4v
WHAT?!?! Watch Collin Sexton with bounce-to-self 360 dunk in game https://t.co/15ATWbm7V5
Keldon Johnson will come off the bench “for the foreseeable future” for the Spurs https://t.co/YdzZYkXrdW
Wemby blocked his 4th 3PT shot this season in tonight's game. His 79 blocks: 72 on floaters, hooks, layups, etc inside 4 on 3PT shot attempts 3 on 2PT jump shot attempts
Collin Sexton bounces it to himself for the 360 slam. 👍 (🎥: @NBA) https://t.co/bK6QUM2PIH
Keldon Johnson DROPS THE HAMMER 😱 Jazz-Spurs | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/zV136vkRBz https://t.co/2JwAeoK4ud
Collin Sexton bounces it to himself for the self lob! 😲 Jazz-Spurs | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/zV136vkRBz https://t.co/UVTfE0diYn
Keldon Johnson, my word.
10 point first half for Wemby 6 of his 10 points have been scored in the paint
Wemby goes up high to finish this lob 😤 (via @NBA) https://t.co/JAe6H04vY2
Wemby with the mid-air adjustment to catch and finish this lob 👀 Jazz-Spurs | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/zV136vkRBz https://t.co/iT62HfCsDY
First few minutes of the game Wemby made a pull-up three and recorded a block
Starters for Spurs vs Jazz: 1 - Branham vs Sexton 2 - Vassell vs Dunn 3 - Champagnie vs Olynyk 4 - Sochan vs Lauri 5 - Wemby vs Collins
Keldon Johnson will come off the bench, “for the forseeable future,” for the Spurs https://t.co/NjGlgptccp
The Spurs' new starting lineup of Branham-Vassell-Champagnie-Sochan-Wemby has been on the floor just 6 possessions together (per Cleaning the glass) this season.
Pop says Keldon Johnson will come off the bench for the foreseeable future to help shore up the second unit. Part of the thinking is also to give Wemby/Vassell more offensive opportunity. Julian Champagnie will start for the second straight game.
Keldon Johnson is coming off the bench again.