Dylan Harper’s emergence during the 2026 NBA Finals came as little surprise to his San Antonio Spurs teammates.
Speaking after the Spurs’ season-ending 94-90 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Devin Vassell offered insight into Harper’s development throughout his rookie campaign, revealing that the 20-year-old guard had been frustrated at times with his role and playing time before becoming one of San Antonio’s most productive postseason performers.
“Dylan, I think we all knew he was talented,” Vassell said after the game. “I don’t know anybody, if anybody knew he was talented, probably besides himself. You know, he was upset with playing time and different roles that he was in, but what we needed him most, he stepped up and we have a star in the making.”
Harper backed up that praise throughout the playoffs. Despite starting only two of San Antonio’s 23 postseason games, the rookie averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field and posting a .564 effective field-goal percentage.
His best performance came in the Spurs’ final game of the season. Harper scored a team-high 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting in Game 5 against New York, adding five rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes. No other Spurs player scored more than 19 points as San Antonio watched the Knicks clinch their first NBA championship since 1973.
Vassell also highlighted Harper’s defensive growth, an area that often determines playing time for young players on championship contenders.
“It’s not just offensively, but defensively, he’s made a lot of plays,” Vassell said. “He’s grown so much. Was he 20, 21 years old? I mean, the sky’s the limit for him.”
The discussion surrounding Harper’s role intensified during the Finals. According to data shared by NBA analyst Evan Sidery, the Spurs outscored the Knicks by 5.4 points per 100 possessions with Harper on the floor during the series. When Harper sat, San Antonio was outscored by 8.0 points per 100 possessions.
Those numbers fueled debate about whether Harper deserved a larger role alongside franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama. While De’Aaron Fox remained a starter throughout the postseason, Harper’s production compared favorably. Fox averaged 15.6 points on 41.4% shooting across 21 playoff games, while Harper shot over 51% from the field and consistently provided efficient scoring off the bench.
The rookie’s impact was particularly notable considering San Antonio’s depth. The Spurs finished the regular season 62-20, earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and advanced to the Finals after defeating Portland, Minnesota and Oklahoma City. Harper carved out a meaningful role despite competing for minutes on a veteran roster that included Fox, Vassell, Stephon Castle and Wembanyama.
Although the Spurs fell four wins short of a championship, Harper’s postseason surge may have provided one of the franchise’s biggest long-term positives. With Wembanyama, Castle and Harper all 22 or younger, San Antonio’s core remains among the NBA’s youngest and most talented.
