Gregg Popovich praises Spurs’ Keldon Johnson, Zach Collins for toughness
Points, K. Johnson, 21.8 per game; rebounds, Collins, 6.0; assists, Jones, 6.3; steals, Jones, 1.3; blocks, Bassey, 0.9.Points, Markkanen, 25.2 per game; rebounds, Markkanen, 8.5; assists, Clarkson, 4.3; steals, Olynyk, 1.0; blocks, Kessler, 2.2.• With this season's average of 3.0 made 3s per game, Markkanen is the first 7-footer in league history to average 3.0 in one season.
Still, part of Popovich’s job is to assemble a starting lineup each night. The continued availability of Johnson and Collins has made that task a bit easier.“It doesn’t matter if I’m sick or not feeling well or my body is hurting,” the 23-year-old Johnson said. “This is my job. This is what I’ve got to do.”
“Those two have played with a lot of pain,” Popovich said. “They want to play. I almost have to protect them. We’re not looking for heroes. It’s not like it’s the playoffs.”Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen drives as San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City. “Shoot,” he said, “I missed two years. I want to play in every game I can.
Collins has played well in the six games since, averaging 15.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. He had 15 points in Saturday’s game before fouling out. There is financial impetus for Collins to play through pain. For now, Collins does not have a guaranteed contract for next season. The Spurs have until the summer to decide whether to keep him on board for $7.7 million in 2023-24.
“I love to do this,” Johnson said. “I wake up smiling every day because I get to play basketball. If I can play, I’m going to play.”He was the Spurs’ second-leading scorer behind rookie Jeremy Sochan’s 22 points, but went 9 of 22 from the field.Afterward, Johnson was hesitant to answer questions about his pregame stomach bug.
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