The San Antonio Spurs have long been a franchise that plays the long game - patient with development, deliberate with injuries, and always thinking two steps ahead. That approach is once again front and center with second overall pick Dylan Harper, who’s already gotten a crash course in what it means to be a Spur.
Harper, widely regarded as the top prospect not named Cooper Flagg in this year’s draft, has missed ten games with a calf injury - a setback that might’ve prompted other teams to rush their young star back onto the floor. But not San Antonio.
Even after fellow rookie Stephon Castle went down, the Spurs didn’t flinch. They stuck to their principles, leaned into their depth, and handed the keys to De’Aaron Fox.
Fox, in just his first season with the Spurs, has shouldered a heavy load - and delivered. San Antonio sits at 13-6, one of the early surprises of the season, navigating injuries to two of their most promising young players without losing their identity or momentum.
Now, Harper is back - and while the minutes have been limited, the flashes are unmistakable. In his first three games since returning, he’s logged under 20 minutes per contest, but his scoring has ticked upward each night: seven, eleven, seventeen. The rhythm is returning, and so is the confidence.
He’s not running the offense just yet - five assists across those three games tell that story - but Harper’s not pressing. He’s embraced a backup role behind Fox, playing within the system, and trusting that the opportunities will come.
And in San Antonio, they always do. This is a team where everyone eats - the ball moves, the shots are shared, and the system does the heavy lifting.
“Getting back in the rhythm, knowing where I need to be on the floor… my teammates do a great job of just putting me in the right spots to win,” Harper said after his third game back. “I just go out there, play my game, and I just try not to overthink it. But these games definitely helped me get back to myself.”
That’s a quote that tells you a lot. Harper isn’t just physically getting back - he’s mentally settling in.
And with the NBA Cup knockout rounds approaching and Victor Wembanyama reportedly nearing a return, the timing couldn’t be better. The Spurs have already shown they can win without their best player.
Now, with Harper ramping up and the roster getting healthier, this team could be gearing up for something bigger.
Let’s not forget - Harper wasn’t drafted to be a Day 1 savior. The plan was for him to develop behind Fox and Castle, to grow into his role over time.
But basketball rarely goes according to script, and injuries have accelerated his timeline. The good news?
He’s handling it like a pro.
Harper’s blend of poise, scoring touch, and offensive creativity has given San Antonio a boost - and fans have taken notice. He’s not just meeting expectations; he’s quietly exceeding them. The passing game hasn’t fully clicked yet, but once it does, the Spurs might be looking at a rookie who can do more than just contribute - he can change the game.
With a playoff-caliber roster already in place and a top-tier talent like Harper being re-integrated, San Antonio isn’t just surviving the early-season adversity. They’re building something. And if the early signs are any indication, it’s going to be a problem for the rest of the league.