Bill Walton 1986 Sixth Man of the Year Award

Lore & Background

Walton is one of the Hall of Famers who have won the Sixth Man of the Year award.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Boston Garden was thick with humidity and anticipation, the roar of the crowd vibrating through the parquet floor. Bill Walton stood on the sideline, his jersey number 5 slightly damp, watching Larry Bird guide the offense. He wasn't starting tonight; he was the spark plug waiting to ignite. When K.C. Jones signaled for him, Walton didn't hesitate. He jogged onto the court, clapping his hands, a wide grin breaking through his beard. The opposing center scrambled to recover, but Walton was already gone—slipping a no-look pass through the defense's eyesight to ignite a fast break.

Reader's Guide

The Sixth Man of the Year award is given annually to the league's best performing player coming off the bench. Winners since the 2022–23 season receive the John Havlicek Trophy. Eligibility requires a player to come off the bench in more games than he starts.

Did You Know?

• Bill Walton is one of only two Sixth Man of the Year winners who also won NBA MVP, the other being James Harden.
• Walton is one of five Hall of Famers to have won the Sixth Man award, along with Kevin McHale, Toni Kukoč, Bobby Jones, and Manu Ginóbili.