Ian Mahinmi hasn’t come off the bench all season for the Spurs, registering DNPs in San Antonio’s first 34 games of the 2009-10 season.

(Talk French NBA players in our forum)

However, the 6-11 French center was prepared when his number was called last night vs. the New Jersey Nets.

Mahnimi scored 15 points, hitting all six of his field goals, grabbed nine rebounds in 21 minutes of play – all those numbers are career highs.

The Spurs ultimately won the game 97-85  with Mahinmi’s energy off the bench, Manu Ginobili’s 21 points and Tim Duncan’s double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds.

After being drafted 28th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, Mahinmi spent two seasons overseas before joining the NBDL and the Austin Toros.

During his initial D-League season in 2007-08, the 23 year-old averaged 17.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 45 games.

The next season, Mahinmi played just one game for the Toros before being called up by the Spurs. He played in just six games for the Spurs that season.