Rookie Dylan Harper helped the San Antonio Spurs avoid a collapse, registering several clutch shots in the closing minutes to ensure a win in their home opener on Sunday.
With Victor Wembanyama leading the way with 31 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots, Harper produced 20 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in a 118-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Frost Bank Center to improve to 3-0.
The Spurs saw a 26-point third-quarter lead evaporate, as the Nets went ahead by five points early in the fourth quarter. The group responded, with Harper scoring seven points in the period, including the go-ahead layup with 4 minutes, 12 seconds to go.
“He made some really solid, simple plays tonight,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I think it is a theme of our team of continuing to do what I think we got away from ourselves a little bit, where there is a simple shot or a simple pass or a play to be made. … I thought he did a really good job of that tonight of being aggressive without forcing it or playing in a crowd, but taking what the defense gave.”
Harper became the third rookie to score at least 20 points in a game this season, joining Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe and Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward. He went 8-of-11 from the field, while committing no turnovers in 29 minutes of action off the bench.
The No. 2 pick in the draft was commended for his timely scoring to ignite the offense. Johnson also singled out some of his key stops on defense that enabled him to finish a team-high plus-33 on the court as critical plays that saved the game for the Spurs.
“It is just basketball at this point,” Harper said of his performance. “Just going out there, playing my game, trusting my ability and being someone where I can do whatever the team needs me to do.”
Dylan Harper is not your typical rookie!!! That 6th man role off the bench is definitely going to have him in the Rookie of The Year conversation
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) October 26, 2025
Harper is averaging 16 points, five rebounds, 4.3 assists and one steal on 48.6% shooting to begin the season. He is logging 26 minutes per game, playing a key role in the second unit, which ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes will put him in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
The 19-year-old appears poised to be an integral rotational player for Johnson and the team. He was proud of the way they fought back late in the game and believes it is because of how they have bought in and worked together as a team that sealed the win.
“I think we did a great job this whole summer, preseason, offseason of just being connected and staying together, whether we’re traveling together or in the gym all day,” Harper said. “I think we kind of know where everyone is because all of the hard work we put in.”