From CBS Sports · · 1m 20s
Dylan Harper's NBA Star Power
Dylan Harper, 20-year-old Spurs guard, dominates playoffs as rookie starter after refusing to play off bench
In brief
Dylan Harper, 20-year-old Spurs guard, dominates playoffs as rookie starter after refusing to play off bench Harper will start for Spurs this season after refusing to play off bench despite being a rookie Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Harper's 2026 Playoffs
Harper dominated Spurs' playoff run with 51 points and 22 rebounds in three games against Timberwolves
“Dylan Harper goes nuclear in his first road playoff game after Scoot Henderson talks shit to him”
First Playoff Start
Harper scored 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists in Game 1 of conference finals
“Dylan Harper first career start of the NBA playoffs in the WCF vs OKC”
Finals Dominance
Harper averaged 18 points per game in Finals against Knicks, second-highest by rookie in history
“Harper was so good in last year's playoffs, it's almost hard to put into words”
Rookie Confidence
Harper insists he will start this season despite being a rookie and refusing to play off bench
“I'm going to do whatever the team needs me to do, man. If that's come off the bench… F, k no. I ain't coming off no bench”
Team Strategy Shift
Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox to start, but Harper is now ready to take over as starter
“The plan was simple. Fox would start. Harper would come off the bench until he was ready to take the reins”
Fox's Role
De'Aaron Fox, All-Star, will likely play third guard role as Harper starts
“I'm not worried about it at all. That's not my decision to make. I go in, I control what I can control”
Rookie Impact
Harper's performance has forced Spurs to reevaluate starting lineup strategy
“Harper is not coming off the bench this season regardless of the politically correct stance”
Future Outlook
Harper's dominance could lead to Spurs trading Fox for more competitive edge
“If it is, frankly, the spurs will probably just trade fox”
Team Dynamics
Spurs' young core includes Harper, Wembanyama and Castle with strong playoff chemistry
“The real question is whether fox will start alongside harper and castle in a three-guard lineup”
Rookie Legacy
Harper's performance sets new standard for young NBA players
“Harper is just too good. He has forced his way in, just as tom brady did”
The key point
Harper will start for Spurs this season after refusing to play off bench despite being a rookie
