Spurs forward Keldon Johnson was at his high-energy best both during and after Friday night's 126-97 preseason-ending victory over Sacramento.
After finishing with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes, the 2026 Sixth Man of the Year held court in the locker room, entertaining reporters, team staffers and a few slow-dressing teammates with his chatter.
When he finally left the Frost Bank Center wearing an orange-and-white Texas ball cap, he looked he still had plenty left in his tank to work late into the night doing chores at his Boerne ranch if needed.
After losing at least 15 pounds in the offseason, the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Johnson is raring to go and ready to prove the slimmed-down version of himself can be just as robust as the one that produced 13.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists while becoming the only NBA player in 2025-26 to play in all 82 games without a start.
"I feel like I'm better," the eighth-year pro and longest-tenured current Spur said when asked about his makeover.
"All-around game, I'm faster, just as strong. I feel like it's just staying this weight and staying disciplined is the most important thing. And I feel like I can do that. Obviously, I was a little bit heavier last year, but I like where I'm at. Like I said, I'm moving good, my body feels good. And, overall, I just feel like I'm a better player when I'm lighter."
This isn't the first time Johnson lost a considerable amount of weight in the summer. He came into the 2022-23 season 21 pounds lighter after hiring a personal chef. This time around, he said he did it by "eating at home as much as possible" and "skipping snacks."
"One thing Keldon has proved over time is regardless of his weight, I don't think anybody would ever have perceived him as lacking strength," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said.
The coach expects Johnson, who will make $17.5 million this season in the final year of the four-year, $80 million extension he signed in July 2022, to be "more explosive vertically" and be in better shape "to play longer."
"Whatever it may be, it's hard to think there's not more positives," Mitch Johnson said. "And I think the energy he's playing at right now is a reflection of that."
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Spurs' boisterous Keldon Johnson feels even more energetic after makeover.