Spurs Rookie Exits Game 2 vs. Thunder

San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper left Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals with an obvious proper hamstring damage, creating one other backcourt concern for a group already enjoying with out De’Aaron Fox.

He didn’t return to the sport and the Spurs introduced he can be out for the reminder of the sport. Since the Spurs haven’t launched extra particulars in regards to the damage, it’s not possible to estimate how lengthy Harper could also be held out of motion.

Jared Weiss of The Athletic posted During the second half that Harper was “heading back to the locker room after holding his right hamstring landing from a layup that was blocked by SGA.” The Spurs had not instantly introduced an official analysis or return standing on the time of the report.

The play got here at a tough second for San Antonio, which entered Game 2 towards the Oklahoma City Thunder to guard a 1-0 sequence lead after a double-overtime win within the opener. Fox was dominated out earlier than Game 2 due to a proper ankle sprain, and the San Antonio Express-News famous that his absence put extra stress on Harper and Stephen Castle within the Spurs’ backcourt.

Dylan Harper Suffered an Apparent Hamstring Injury within the Second Half of Game 2 vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder

Harper’s damage concern appeared to contain his proper hamstring after a blocked layup try by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Until the Spurs present an official replace, the important thing phrase is “apparent,” however the fast picture was regarding: Harper grabbed in the back of his proper leg and went to the locker room.

That issues as a result of Harper has already taken on a bigger postseason position than most rookies are requested to deal with. With Fox out, San Antonio has leaned closely on Castle, Harper and Devin Vassell to create offense, survive Oklahoma City’s stress and maintain Victor Wembanyama from carrying each possession.

Harper performed 47 minutes within the Spurs’ Game 1 win, whereas Castle performed 49 and Vassell performed 51. Harper delivered 24 factors, 11 rebounds, six assists and 7 steals in that double-overtime victory, giving San Antonio the sort of two-way guard manufacturing it wanted to steal home-court benefit.

That workload is a part of what makes the damage scare so important. The Spurs had been already asking a rookie to play deep playoff minutes towards the NBA’s most aggressive defensive group. If Harper is restricted or compelled to overlook time, San Antonio’s ball-handling, transition offense and perimeter protection all turn into more durable to stabilize.

The Spurs additionally had turnover points all through the primary sport and a half of the sequence. San Antonio dedicated 23 turnovers in Game 1, which Oklahoma City was 28 factors.

Dylan Harper’s All-Rookie Season Made Him a Key Piece for the Spurs

Harper’s damage scare got here on the identical night time his rookie season obtained league-wide recognition.

The NBA introduced the 2025-26 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team on May 20, with Harper becoming a member of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe and Cedric Coward appeared on 93 first-team ballots.

Harper averaged 11.8 factors, 3.9 assists and three.4 rebounds through the common season for the Spurs. He did that whereas becoming right into a group with established creators and a franchise centerpiece in Wembanyama, relatively than posting empty numbers on a rebuilding group.

His postseason manufacturing has been much more necessary. Harper at 14.6 factors, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals by way of 12 playoff video games.

Eric Anderson is an award-winning sports activities journalist protecting the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He additionally focuses on the buying and selling card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized retailers together with The New York Times, Associated Press, USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson