Mitch Johnson on spending monster game Julian Champagnie

During their championship runs, Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich would sometimes call out his own San Antonio Spurs teams. The word “soft” would come up every now and then. Current coach Mitch Johnson didn’t use the exact word afterward The silver and black lost 111-106 to the Houston Rockets, but he came somewhat close.

“It was just playing toughness all over the place and they showed. I don’t think it was one thing that continued to hurt us other than some toughness. Mentally, physically, all in all, a lot of different ways that came at us and it snowballed and they got the momentum going and got the job done, and then we gave a lot in giving Hoe credit for being a part of that.”

“I don’t think there was one thing that continued to hurt us other than some toughness; mental, physical, overall, in many ways that touched us…”

– Mitch Johnson follows #Spurs 111-106 L at the Rockets, in which SA blew a 16-point lead#PorVida #GoSpursGo pic.tvitter.com/gkGjIktvIl

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) January 21, 2026

The The Rockets more than doubled the Spurs’ point total 29-14 in the crucial fourth quartercompletely erasing what was he once led San Antonio with 16 points.

“Houston did a great job the whole second half on us,” Johnson added. “They stepped up their physicality, increased their level of aggression. We had a rough whole half. The fourth quarter was obviously less than the third, but we missed some open shots. We weren’t strong in creating the advantage, catching, passing, mental things, in terms of sharpness in executing the game.”

Again citing the part of the game played over the wicket, Johnson went on to assess the setback that ended his team’s three-game winning streak.

“I think our whole team was rushed at times, we were pushed out of our spots. And so when that happens, whether you’re rushed or pushed out of your spot, the timing of the play, the sequencing of the rhythm, whether it’s on the iso face up or how the play should be run, we were just in the wrong spot, whether we were in the wrong spot of the play or we were in the play. right they have some good one-on-one defenders and now you’re playing against those guys many times against time.

In his second season at the helm of the Spurs, Johnson is in his first year as an official head coach after Popovich retired last spring following a stroke in November 2024.

Julian Champagne doesn’t hold back after a great performance

San Antonio did not lead offensively Victor VembanyamaDe’Aaron Fox or Stephen Castle in Houston. Julian Champagnie was the only player in black to score more than 14in the total amount of 27.

“I mean, I’ll keep the dollar, I really don’t care, honestly and honestly,” the 24-year-old role player said of his performance.

“I don’t care if I have 20 (points), I don’t care if I have 10. I mean, it just is what it is,” Champagne continued.

The former St. John’s standout hit eight of his sixteen 3-pointers now 30-14 Spurs.

“I like to win. That’s why I’d rather have zero and win by 20 if I’m honest,” admitted Champagne. “But that’s just basketball too, it’s just boring. Losing is what bothers me the most, despite everything else. Just not doing our best is the best for me.”