On Saturday, the San Antonio Spurs lost a heartbreaker 94-90 at home in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and were officially eliminated by the New York Knicks, who won the NBA Championship for the first time since 1973. Obviously, it’s tough not to be disappointed in the aftermath, especially when it felt like this team had the potential to go the championship distance. Several players really stepped up and stood out for the Spurs in these playoffs, including rookie Dylan Harper, who should be part of a bright future for the franchise.
Harper, the star of the night, led them in scoring off the bench. He finished with 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists, along with one block in the loss. If the offense had been able to generate any momentum, Harper could have helped San Antonio pull off an unlikely win. Regardless of the loss, he ended the season on an impressive note.
Following the game, one fan posted a message tagging Harper’s mom, Mariah Harper. The message included Game 5 stats along with the caption:
“This is not normal for a rookie. Mom still proud of you, keep balling, bounce back.”
The Spurs guard’s mom reshared the story on Instagram and replied in three words:
“Mama always proud.”
Harper, who was selected second overall in the 2025 draft, was an absolute force for a San Antonio team that reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. He averaged 11.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 69 regular-season games. He took it up another level, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as a rookie in the playoffs.
The youngster also had a special achievement, becoming the first rookie since Richard Dumas in 1993 to record multiple 20-point games in an NBA Finals series. The young guard should be proud of the rookie season he’s put together.
Dylan Harper is starter for the Spurs next season
Ever since the Spurs drafted him, Dylan Harper’s opportunities have grown. The 20-year-old exceeded expectations this season. It was expected that he would take a couple of years to develop into a star, but he kept improving throughout the season.
Despite playing most of his minutes off the bench, he looked like a seasoned veteran. He made all the right plays on both ends, shooting 50.5% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.
Harper will undoubtedly be stronger next season when it begins in October. The fact that he is already this good and still only 20 is impressive. There’s a real chance he becomes the starting guard next season if he keeps developing well. He’s going to be an important player for a long time.
Read More:
3 Biggest Losers as New York Knicks Win 2026 NBA Championship Ft. Giannis Antetokounmpo
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in the NBA, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
