Harper Returns to the Spurs: Spark and Key Victory in Portland

Dylan Harper Returns to Action with the Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs rookie, Dylan Harper, selected in the second position of this year’s NBA draft, made his expected return to the court on Wednesday in Portland, after missing 10 games due to a left calf strain. Harper demonstrated his worth by scoring seven points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out two assists in the Spurs’ 115-102 victory over the Trail Blazers, allowing them to stay in contention to win their group in the NBA Cup.

I thought he was great. We needed his 16 and a half minutes, and it was good to see him back on the court. It’s the kid’s sixth game. He’s been out for almost a month. He was great.

Mitch Johnson, Coach

Harper’s injury occurred during San Antonio’s first loss of the season on November 2 against Phoenix, while defending a dunk by Nick Richards. A subsequent MRI confirmed the strain. In his first six games, 19-year-old Harper averaged 14 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, with 50% field goal efficiency and 35.7% from the three-point line. He played at least 22 minutes in the five games prior to the injury.

Coach Johnson attributed Harper’s playing time on Wednesday to the time the player spent off the court. “He was fried in 16 minutes,” Johnson joked.

This was the first game in which the Spurs had starting point guard De’Aaron Fox and Harper available, as Fox missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury. To limit Harper’s minutes, the two players shared the court for only 1:26 in the final quarter, alternating at the point guard position for the rest of the game.

Harper expressed his enthusiasm for playing alongside Fox “a lot” as he regains his game rhythm.

Playing with someone with so much intelligence. We play in the same position, so I think we both understand where the other is going to be and everyone else. Playing with him on the court I think will be a nightmare for anyone.

Dylan Harper

The French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama (calf) and guard Stephon Castle (hip flexor strain), lottery picks for San Antonio in the last two years, remain out, but are expected to be re-evaluated soon to begin the process of their respective returns.