The San Antonio Spurs became one of two teams to close out their first round playoff series after they handed the Portland Trail Blazers their fourth loss in five series games.
A commanding 114-95 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night effectively wrapped up the tie and punched the Spurs’ ticket to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in nine years.
San Antonio’s young group, led by Victor Wembanyama, has lived up to expectations so far, even as their rookies have stepped into the playoff spotlight in what should have been a developmental year.
Rookie Sensation Makes Rare Spurs Rookie Feat
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper had a memorable impact off the bench in the series finale. He made his presence felt on both ends of the floor and finished the night on a 17-point and 3-rebound stat line. However, it was his defensive disruption that caught the eye as the 20-year-old star finished with three steals.
GettyDylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs
In doing so, Harper joins an exclusive list of Spurs rookies.
According to Statmuse, Harper became the first Spurs rookie with 15+ points and 3+ steals in a playoff game since Kawhi Leonard.
Harper being in the same sentence as Leonard isn’t far-fetched, given what he has done this season.
As the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, Harper has had more of a patient rookie rise than other top picks in his draft class. He saw plenty of bench minutes this season and spot starts, starting only four of the 69 games he played.
Harper’s slow and steady rise didn’t diminish his confidence as a top star and it seems to be paying dividends this postseason. Before this latest feat, he had a career-high 27-point, 10-rebound outburst in Game 3.
He averaged 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in the first round. He also added 1.2 steals per game.
Harper now joins a short but impressive list of recent Spurs rookies who have been put on notice. Wembanyama entered in 2023 and Stephon Castle followed the year after. Harper makes it three straight first-year players who have changed the franchise’s fortunes.
Can the Spurs’ Young Core Go All the Way?
For now, the Spurs’ young squad will sit and watch as the rest of the bracket sorts itself out, scouting their next opponent while carrying serious momentum into the next round.
The bigger question now is whether the core can go all the way to glory. They are certainly favorites being one of three teams to win 60 games in the regular season. However, judging from how this postseason is going, regular season records will do little to matter.
Notwithstanding, the Spurs have shown that they are capable of being a mature side seeing how they shook off a Game 2 loss to win the next three games. Of course, they will expect the next round opponents to provide a much more difficult task than the Blazers, but coach Mitch Johnson’s side will feel confident.
One more series win stands in the way of San Antonio and a first finals appearance since 2014 when Leonard took home the Finals MVP.
Spurs Receive Unexpected Dylan Harper News After Game 5 Win vs Blazers