This season, Keldon Johnson has become a crucial asset for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 13 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. His performance has placed him squarely in the conversation for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, largely due to his leadership of a Spurs bench ranking among the league’s top ten in scoring. However, despite his strengths, Johnson has recently faced significant challenges with his jump shot, managing to convert just 28.9% of his three-point attempts over the last 15 games.
San Antonio’s Shooting Woes Reflect a Broader Struggle
The Spurs have been exceptional overall lately, winning 12 of their past 13 contests and maintaining a top-three seed position in the Western Conference despite injuries. Yet, Johnson’s shooting troubles illustrate a larger problem the team faces from beyond the arc. During the same 15-game stretch, San Antonio’s three-point shooting percentage has dropped to 36.4%, which ranks only 13th in the NBA. Johnson’s difficulty in finding his shooting rhythm has had a clear impact, especially when sharing the floor with guards like De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, limiting the team’s scoring options. This issue was particularly evident during the Spurs’ recent defeat to the New York Knicks, where the team hit just 9 of 34 attempts from three-point range.
Crucial Need for Johnson to Regain Shooting Accuracy
The Spurs rely heavily on their guards’ ability to break down defenses and attack the basket, which typically creates opportunities for open looks and kick-out passes. Johnson’s effectiveness is closely tied to how well he can capitalize on these actions by knocking down threes. His shooting keeps opponents cautious and prevents defensive collapses, an aspect he has shown capability in throughout the season with a 37.2% success rate on three-pointers, particularly strong above the break. This shooting slump, while not unusual even for elite players, threatens both Johnson’s individual ambitions and the Spurs’ offensive stability as they push toward the playoff stretch.
As a 26-year-old contender for the Sixth Man of the Year, Johnson faces pressure to resolve these issues swiftly. Improving his shooting consistency is vital not only for maintaining the Spurs’ offensive flow but also for helping the team build momentum heading into the postseason.
KJ doin' KJ things 🔥
📺 @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/IVcgXxRnCT
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 12, 2026
