Spurs' Dylan Harper gets historic Larry Bird record to topple Thunder
Harper became the second rookie in NBA history to reach 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals in a playoff game.
- On Monday, San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper led his team to a 122-115 double-overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1, recording 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and seven steals.
- Making his first postseason start in place of injured teammate De'Aaron Fox, the Rutgers rookie stepped into a larger role after averaging 22 minutes per game during the regular season.
- Harper joined Magic Johnson as the second rookie in NBA history to post at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a playoff game, cementing his place in historic company.
- San Antonio will build on its momentum in Game 2 on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, while the Thunder aim to regroup after their first postseason loss with Fox's status uncertain.
- Victor Wembanyama anchored the Spurs, but Harper sealed the victory with a crucial bucket in the second overtime. He, Wembanyama, and Stephon Castle all recorded double-doubles, fueling San Antonio's historic emergence.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Dylan Harper Demands Your Attention
It's easy to come out of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals with only Wemby on the brain. Do you focus on the defensive presence that threw off Oklahoma City's entire roster, save for Alex Caruso? Or the Steph Curryesque three-pointer at the end of overtime? Or the aura farming in front of his awed teammates? Victor Wembanyama gave everyone what they wanted on Monday night, which is why it falls to me to ignore the nine-foot-tall alien and …
How to improve: play young players
Dylan Harper just turned 20 in March, started for the Spurs in the Western conference finals, and played 47 electric minutes with seven steals. ALEX SLITZ/GETTY IMAGESDavid Thorpe said the other day that on a lot of teams, Ajay Mitchell would be in the G-League. Instead, the Thunder played him a ton, and started him in the absence of the injured Jalen Williams for six playoff games, which were all wins. By the end of the second round, the league…
Dylan Harper's Historic Night: 5 Wild Stats From Spurs Rookie's Playoff Masterclass
When San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper stepped onto the floor for Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals, he wasn’t just filling a vacancy, he was walking into a date with destiny. With All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox sidelined due to a sudden ankle injury, the 20-year-old rookie was thrust into the starting lineup against a formidable Oklahoma City Thunder squad. What followed was a masterclass in poise, grit, and historic all-aroun…
Dylan Harper Just Pulled Off a Feat NBA Fans Haven’t Seen Since Larry Bird
For all the attention surrounding Victor Wembanyama’s dominance during the Western Conference Finals, another young San Antonio Spurs star quietly delivered a historic performance of his own Monday night. And now the rest of the NBA is starting to realize just how dangerous Dylan Harper is becoming. The rookie guard stepped onto the floor in one of the biggest games of his life against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and looked comp…
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