San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie answers questions from reporters during shootaround before Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The Spurs lead the series 2-1.
Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-NewsMINNEAPOLIS — Julian Champagnie had perhaps the most impressive rebound of his career late in the third quarter of the Spurs’ 115-108 win over Minnesota on Friday night.
The sequence started with Devin Vassell’s mid-range jumper clanging off the back of the rim while three Timberwolves, including 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert waited in the paint for the rebound. But before they could react, Champagnie swooped in from beyond the arc to snag the ball with one hand before zipping it in one swift motion to Keldon Johnson for a 3-pointer that gave the Spurs an 86-77 lead with 40.7 seconds.
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The rebound was one of Champagnie’s 12 for the game, a playoff career high for the fourth-year forward that included four on the offensive end, and it underscored how well-rounded his game has become.
Champagnie entered Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday averaging 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds (7.3 against Minnesota), 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals through eight playoff games.
“He’s definitely come into his own and he’s affecting the game in so many different ways,” Johnson said. “He’s rebounding, he’s been a great defender for us and he shoots the basketball lights out. To see how he impacts the game is rewarding because he works so hard, puts so much into the game of basketball.”
Champagnie, who stands 6-7, said the key to his success as a rebounder isn’t complicated.
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“Just waiting, being patient, and then just throwing my body in there,” he said after shootaround Sunday morning.
He also credited his twin brother, Washington forward Justin Champagnie, for helping him.
“My brother’s a really good rebounder,” Julian said. “He always tells me I’m big and I could jump a little bit, so just go in there and find the ball.”
Another factor in Champagnie hitting the boards: Spurs coach Mitch Johnson made it a priority for him at the start of the season.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) rebounds the ball during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 115-108, leading the series 2-1.
As a result, the New York City native finished the regular season averaging a career-best 5.8 rebounds while playing in all 82 games after averaging 3.9 over 82 games in 2024-25.
“It’s a vital part of a playoff team,” Mitch Johnson said of Champagnie’s rebounding. “Typically, you have to do more than just one thing in terms of being a specialist. And when you become an elite rebounder like that, it’s a really, really impactful thing because it is the transition from your defense to your offense or it’s creating more opportunities for your offense.”
Champagnie isn’t the only forward making contributions in several areas for the Spurs in the playoffs. Vassell entered Sunday’s game averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, a team-best 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks.
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“He’s been great for us,” Champagnie said. “He’s been super diligent, attentive to detail, playing defense, rebounding, blocking shots. He’s just doing everything to help the team win. He’s helping us with his egolessness.”
The same can be said of Champagnie.
