NBA Sixth Man of the Year History
The NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award recognizes the league's top player
coming off the bench during the regular season. The award was first
presented following the 1982-83 season.
Bobby Jones of the Philadelphia 76ers became the first
winner of the award. Since then, the honor has recognized many of the
NBA's most productive and important reserve players.
To qualify for the award, a player must come off the bench in more games
than he starts. The winner receives the John Havlicek Trophy,
named after the Boston Celtics legend who became famous for his ability
to impact games both as a starter and as a reserve.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year Winners
| Season |
Player |
Team |
| 2025-26 | Keldon Johnson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2024-25 | Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics |
| 2023-24 | Naz Reid | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 2022-23 | Malcolm Brogdon | Boston Celtics |
| 2021-22 | Tyler Herro | Miami Heat |
| 2020-21 | Jordan Clarkson | Utah Jazz |
| 2019-20 | Montrezl Harrell | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2018-19 | Lou Williams | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2017-18 | Lou Williams | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2016-17 | Eric Gordon | Houston Rockets |
| 2015-16 | Jamal Crawford | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2014-15 | Lou Williams | Toronto Raptors |
| 2013-14 | Jamal Crawford | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2012-13 | J.R. Smith | New York Knicks |
| 2011-12 | James Harden | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2010-11 | Lamar Odom | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2009-10 | Jamal Crawford | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2008-09 | Jason Terry | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2007-08 | Manu Ginobili | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2006-07 | Leandro Barbosa | Phoenix Suns |
| 2005-06 | Mike Miller | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2004-05 | Ben Gordon | Chicago Bulls |
| 2003-04 | Antawn Jamison | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2002-03 | Bobby Jackson | Sacramento Kings |
| 2001-02 | Corliss Williamson | Detroit Pistons |
| 2000-01 | Aaron McKie | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1999-00 | Rodney Rogers | Phoenix Suns |
| 1998-99 | Darrell Armstrong | Orlando Magic |
| 1997-98 | Danny Manning | Phoenix Suns |
| 1996-97 | John Starks | New York Knicks |
| 1995-96 | Toni Kukoc | Chicago Bulls |
| 1994-95 | Anthony Mason | New York Knicks |
| 1993-94 | Dell Curry | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1992-93 | Clifford Robinson | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1991-92 | Detlef Schrempf | Indiana Pacers |
| 1990-91 | Detlef Schrempf | Indiana Pacers |
| 1989-90 | Ricky Pierce | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1988-89 | Eddie Johnson | Phoenix Suns |
| 1987-88 | Roy Tarpley | Dallas Mavericks |
| 1986-87 | Ricky Pierce | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1985-86 | Bill Walton | Boston Celtics |
| 1984-85 | Kevin McHale | Boston Celtics |
| 1983-84 | Kevin McHale | Boston Celtics |
| 1982-83 | Bobby Jones | Philadelphia 76ers |
Sixth Man of the Year Facts
-
Bobby Jones of the Philadelphia 76ers became the
first NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner in 1982-83.
-
Kevin McHale became the first player to win the
award twice, earning consecutive honors with Boston in 1983-84 and
1984-85.
-
Jamal Crawford won the award three times, with
Atlanta in 2009-10 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2013-14 and
2015-16.
-
Lou Williams also won three times, with Toronto
in 2014-15 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
-
Detlef Schrempf won consecutive awards with Indiana
in 1990-91 and 1991-92.
-
Ben Gordon won the award as a rookie with Chicago
in 2004-05.
-
James Harden won the award with Oklahoma City in
2011-12 before later becoming an NBA Most Valuable Player.
-
Keldon Johnson won the 2025-26 award with San Antonio,
becoming the second Spurs player to receive the honor after Manu Ginobili.
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