Rookie standout Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs is quickly proving, like many other players on the team’s roster, to be one of the top rising stars in the NBA. That was evident in his Game 1 performance on Monday night, which marked the first time he was in the Spurs’ starting lineup during the 2026 playoffs.
Harper has shown promise all season, but still sits behind De’Aaron Fox as the Spurs’ backup point guard, and hasn’t been given many opportunities to prove his full potential as he did in Game 1.
But now, according to the latest Fox injury update, Harper could be relegated back to the bench, which could create some problems for the Spurs, as they could very well need more of him as their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder goes on.
Dylan Harper Might Be Out Of The Starting Lineup After New De’Aaron Fox Injury Update
GettySan Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper controls the ball during his historic playoff performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1.
Harper was named to the starting lineup once Fox was ruled out with an ankle injury, and put together a record-breaking performance with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in what was the first playoff start of his career and just the fifth time he’s been in the starting lineup all season.
Harper has shown that type of potential all season, but he still sits behind Fox in the rotation, and could be going back to the bench after the latest injury update on the Spurs’ usual starting point guard.
According to NBA insider Marc Spears, Fox is expected to play in Game 2 for San Antonio, despite the ankle injury.
“There is optimism that Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, who missed Game 1 with an ankle injury, will play in Game 2, sources said,” Spears wrote in a post on X after the Spurs’ win.
With that, Harper’s role in the starting lineup might be gone.
According to ex-NBA players Lou Williams and DeMarcus Cousins, it might be best for Harper to go back to the bench, despite his standout Game 1 performance.
“I think you put Fox back in the starting lineup,” Williams said. “You put Fox back in the starting lineup, because I think he steadies the boat.”
“Running the offense is not Stephon Castle’s natural position… Fox steadies the boat.” – Lou Williams
“As good as Dylan Harper played, Spurs bench did struggle from him starting.” – @boogiecousins @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23
“As good as Dylan Harper played, Spurs bench did struggle from him starting,” Cousins added.
Fox has been a mainstay in the Spurs’ starting lineup this season, but when he’s been out, it’s been Harper who has stepped up, like in Game 1 on Monday night.
Is Harper Playing Too Good For The Spurs?
As mentioned, Harper hasn’t been given the same opportunity as some of his fellow rookies like Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel to be one of the leading guy on his team. He’s the only one of those three to come off the bench, but at the same time, is proving to be one of the top young players in the NBA, as was evident in his Game 1 performance for San Antonio.
However, despite his outing on Monday, and what else he’s shown throughout his rookie season for the Spurs, the team might have too many guards. It’s tough to play Stephon Castle, Fox, and Harper at the same time, and according to former NBA All-Star and current podcaster Jeff Teague, the young guard might be playing his way into a James Harden situation.
Speaking on his podcast, Teague said that like Harden with the Thunder 15 years ago, Harper might be playing too well for the Spurs to keep him next to Castle and Fox.
“(He’s) going to get put in that same position James Harden was in with OKC,” Teague said. “You see it, everybody can see it. It’s like writing. Eventually he’s going to go to the (Team) USA thing, and somebody going to say ‘You should be having your own team.'”
“You see it, everybody can see it. It’s like writing. Eventually he’s going to go to the USA thing, and somebody going to say “You should be having your own team.”
Harden was moved to the Houston Rockets while the Thunder continued with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the mid 2010s, allowing the young guard to flourish leading his own team. It remains to be seen if that will happen with Harper, but he is quickly forcing the Spurs to make a decision on which of their three key guards to keep for the future.
In the playoffs, Harper is averaging 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 12 games as a rookie. He is likely far away from his full potential, but is quickly proving why he can be one of the best guards in the NBA a few seasons from now.
But for the time being, if Fox is healthy, the Spurs might relegate Harper back to the bench for Game 2. It remains to be seen if that will happen or if that’s the right move for San Antonio, but after his Game 1 showing, Harper has proven he’s worthy of being in the starting lineup going forward.
Spurs Dylan Harper Gets Bad News After De’Aaron Fox Injury Update