The San Antonio Spurs are heading into the biggest game of their season, and rookie guard Dylan Harper has a simple word for his mindset ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
“Desperation,” Harper said Sunday when asked to describe his approach in one word. “I think for me, I feel like I’m at my best when I play with that type of desperation. And I think that’s what’s kind of needed for this occasion.”
The Spurs trail the series 2-0 after dropping the first two games at home, including a heartbreaking 105-104 loss in Game 2. Now the series shifts to Madison Square Garden, where New York is two victories away from its first NBA championship since 1973.
For Harper, the return to New York carries added meaning. The rookie grew up attending games at Madison Square Garden and expects an atmosphere unlike anything he has experienced.
“I think that next game tomorrow is going to be electric,” Harper said. “I think it’s going to be through the roof. I think it’s going to be everything that I’ve kind of seen or dreamed of times 10, obviously being in the finals.”
Despite the pressure surrounding the moment, Harper emphasized excitement over nerves.
“I’m excited to be out there,” he said. “I’m excited just to play really.”
One of San Antonio’s biggest challenges through the first two games has been containing Knicks star Jalen Brunson in winning time. Brunson struggled with efficiency in Game 2 but still delivered the decisive free throw after a late turnover by Victor Wembanyama.
Harper acknowledged the difficulty of defending New York’s captain.
“He’s a great player,” Harper said. “I feel like he kind of likes moments like that. He steps up in those big moments.”
Rather than abandoning their approach, Harper believes the Spurs need to stay committed to their defensive plan.
“For us, we just have to keep on doubling down our game plan,” he said. “He makes big shots. That’s kind of the type of player he is. But for us, we can’t get too down on things like that. We just got to keep on applying the pressure.”
Harper also reflected on a rookie season that has ended with a Finals appearance. He credited San Antonio’s veteran leadership for helping him navigate the transition to the NBA.
“I think fighting my footing was easy with the type of team we have,” Harper said. “A whole lot of people, a whole lot of vets to kind of help me around and they told me I’m going to make mistakes, but it’s how you respond.”
The former top prospect pointed to preparation as the foundation of his confidence.
“It’s definitely no fluke,” Harper said. “My work, my preparation. If I want to go out there and perform and play like how I want to play, I kind of just have to just buckle down on my work and my work ethic.”
As the Spurs try to avoid falling into a 3-0 series deficit, Harper plans to channel both the excitement of playing near home and the urgency of the situation.
“You got to use it as fuel,” he said. “If you want to go win, you got to kind of be greedy in a sense.”
