Jordan McLaughlin has provided steady play and leadership for the Spurs, helping them manage minutes for key players late in the season without sacrificing results, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
After a tight win over the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Mitch Johnson praised McLaughlin’s impact in a limited role.
“J-Mac gave us 10 minutes of really mature, professional basketball,” Johnson said. “We needed every second.”
Johnson also made it clear that McLaughlin was not an afterthought in the deal with Sacramento that brought De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, but rather a player the team specifically valued.
“We definitely didn’t view him as a throw-in,” the coach said. “ … McLaughlin had good times in Minnesota and played well for Sacramento at times.
“And he was someone we thought could be a good member of this team. And we brought him back this year when he was a free agent.”
McLaughlin has played 7 seasons for the Timberwolves, Spurs and Kings. He has averaged 3.8 points and 2.6 assists in 326 regular-season games.
Southwest Notes: VanVleet, Williams, McLaughlin, Nembhard pic.twitter.com/14CNf7L4Z8
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) March 26, 2026