Spurs’ Dylan Harper Silences Critics After Reaching Western Conference Finals in Rookie Season

The San Antonio Spurs are headed to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017, and rookie guard Dylan Harper is quickly becoming one of the biggest storylines of the NBA playoffs. San Antonio closed out the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 139-109 win in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals behind strong performances from Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Harper.

Harper finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting as the Spurs’ young backcourt continued to overwhelm Minnesota. The rookie later reflected on reaching the Western Conference Finals in his first NBA season and addressed criticism that surfaced after San Antonio selected him in the draft.

“Great. I think this is like, it’s kind of going to be the standard,” Harper said. “All year it was like, did he get drafted to the wrong spot, this, and the third. And it was like, I never thought about that because I kind of knew how good we were and I knew the impact that everyone brought to the table.”

The Spurs now advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 on Monday at Paycom Center.

Dylan Harper, Victor Wembanyama Lead San Antonio Spurs Into Western Conference Finals

GettySan Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper

Harper’s confidence has become increasingly noticeable throughout San Antonio’s playoff run. Even while coming off the bench, the rookie has emerged as one of the Spurs’ most efficient offensive players during the postseason.

Against Minnesota, the Spurs’ backcourt trio of Harper, Castle, and Fox combined for 68 points while helping San Antonio post the third-highest scoring playoff game in franchise history. By the end of the third quarter, the trio had combined for 58.2% of the Spurs’ scoring while shooting 23-of-30 from the field.

“What we’re walking into on Monday is a different animal,” Harper said about facing Oklahoma City. “The experience is great for all of us. But we’ve just got to have the mindset of we’re going to keep the foot on the gas no matter what.”

Harper has also joined an elite company in Spurs postseason history. He now has 151 playoff points, becoming one of only five rookies in franchise history to score at least 150 postseason points alongside Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.

Victor Wembanyama praised the team’s overall balance after Game 6. Minnesota frequently focused its defense on limiting the All-Star center, opening opportunities for San Antonio’s guards to attack.

“The way this team is built, they were trying to take me away from the rim and just grab me,” Wembanyama said. “[Stephon Castle] was amazing. Just the composure to make the late choice and to push the defense in as far as they can go to take care of our strengths, he was great.”

San Antonio has now won seven consecutive playoff games.

San Antonio Spurs Backcourt Gives Team New Dimension

GettySan Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox

The Spurs’ playoff surge has highlighted how dangerous their young guard rotation has become alongside Wembanyama.

Fox, the veteran leader of the group, explained that San Antonio’s rotations are designed to maintain offensive pressure throughout the game.

“The way our rotations work, at all times we have two of us out there,” Fox said. “We’re all able to play off one another. We can all get to the basket. We all make our open shots. We facilitate for each other and other guys on the court. It just adds to the dynamic of our team.”

Castle led the Spurs with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in Game 6. Harper continued providing efficient scoring and secondary playmaking while showing defensive versatility throughout the series.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson credited Castle’s mentality after the win, but also emphasized the overall approach of the group.

“His temperament and disposition led to him having the right approach and playing the right way,” Johnson said. “When they have the right approach and play with the fundamentals needed at this level to execute, their talent can take it to another level.”

Wembanyama also described the defensive intensity during the series as one of the most enjoyable stretches of basketball he has experienced.

“This series was probably the most fun I’ve had on defense,” Wembanyama said. “Like everybody was connected.”

The Spurs now prepare for a matchup against the defending champion Thunder, with Harper continuing to emerge as one of the key figures in San Antonio’s postseason run.

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