With Devin Vassell (sore right hamstring) a late scratch for precautionary reasons and Stephon Castle (right hip tightness) sidelined for the second consecutive time, Spurs guard Dylan Harper received the first start of his career in Saturday’s win over Indiana, writes Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News.
Harper, last year’s No. 2 overall pick, overcame some pre-game jitters to finish with 24 points (on 9-of-13 shooting), four rebounds, three assists and no turnovers in 28 minutes, Orsborn notes. Head coach Mitch Johnson praised Harper’s upside while pointing out that he committed four fouls and gave up a couple of backdoor layups to Andrew Nembhard.
“I think he can be sharper,” Johnson said. “I think he can continue to get in better shape. Those are nitpicking criticisms when you look at the production, but that’s how good he can be. … His upside and path is whatever he wants it to be. And I’m not trying to shine you on. I’m being dead serious. I just want him to be better at transition defense.”
As Orsborn observes, Harper almost certainly would have put up gaudier stats in his rookie season if he was playing on a lesser team, but Johnson and Harper’s teammates have praised the former Rutgers star for his maturity and willingness to accept a bench role for the betterment of the team.
“We’re number two in the West,” said Harper, who turned 20 years old earlier this month. “To me, we’re the best team in the NBA. So for me to get drafted by an organization that’s so family oriented, I think any rookie would want to come here. From top to bottom, everyone is very professional and everyone is just so giving and so hands on with everything.”
Here’s more on the Spurs:
- Johnson said after the victory that the Spurs don’t have any “long-term” concerns about Vassell’s injury, adding that the team was just being “super mindful” in regards to the sixth-year wing’s health (Twitter link via Orsborn). Johnson also said the Spurs weren’t worried about Castle’s hip issue, according to Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News, who says more players might get days off down the stretch in preparation for the playoffs.
- McDonald wonders if Keldon Johnson is being overlooked as a Sixth Man of the Year contender. The veteran forward had 24 points (on 10-of-12 shooting), four rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes on Saturday, and has led the team in scoring five times this season. Johnson also has not yet missed a game in 2025/26.
- In another story for The Express-News, McDonald takes a look at the relationship of Mitch Johnson and Victor Wembanyama, who is making a late push for MVP consideration with his elite two-way play. Johnson used to help Wembanyama warm up before each game, but ceded those duties before the season began after being promoted to the full-time head coach. “There’s a level of accountability I have to hold him to,” Johnson said. “When you get to know somebody and then hopefully build trust with that person, it allows you to work with them, partner with them, push them in ways that I think probably could be a little bit deeper than just a coach trying to talk to a player.”