Spurs guard Dylan Harper starts opener, scores 18 in loss to Thunder
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The gist
Spurs guard Dylan Harper, 20, scored 18 points in a 116-104 season-opening loss to Oklahoma City.
The second-year pro now starts alongside Fox and Castle around Wembanyama.
Background
Dylan Harper is a 20-year-old second-year guard for the San Antonio Spurs, drafted No. 2 overall in 2025. He came off the bench as a rookie, averaging 11.8 points and hitting 34.3% from three, and reached the Finals that season. Coach Mitch Johnson named him a starter for 2026-27 alongside De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and star Victor Wembanyama. The opener was a rematch of the 2026 Western Conference finals, which the Spurs won in seven games.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026Harper played in a preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio; the Spurs won 123-103.
- Oct 16, 2026He scored 19 points on 7 of 12 shooting (3 of 6 from three) in a 126-97 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings.
- Oct 17, 2026Coach Mitch Johnson announced Harper would start alongside De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama in the season opener.
- Oct 20, 2026Harper had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes in a 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City. He appeared to suffer a lower-body injury landing awkwardly on a floater early in the fourth quarter, went to the bench for a few minutes, and finished with no issues.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Harper said he enters the opener "very confident" in his outside shot after hitting a team-high 57.1% from three in the preseason, and that the three-guard lineup will improve after showing better pace and execution in the second half.
- Coach
- Mitch Johnson said Harper's outside shot was "incrementally improving" and called him "a ridiculously talented young player who has really matured and really started to build a foundation of habits."
- Analysts
- Reporter Josh Valdez said it's hard to go all-in on Harper until he starts, suggesting Castle could be Wembanyama's Robin while Harper wins Sixth Man of the Year; Eric Blum and Ryan Songalia projected Harper as a starter.
Still unverified
Reporter Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reported that Harper appeared to suffer a lower-body injury landing awkwardly on a floater to start the fourth quarter; Harper went to the bench for a few minutes but finished the game with no issues.