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Dylan Harper on going to his first WCF.
Dylan Harper, who has been suffering from an adductor soreness, battled through injury in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals as the San Antonio Spurs fell to the OKC Thunder on Friday night.
Harper logged 17 minutes off the bench just two days after injuring his adductor in Game 2, which put him out of action for the final quarter of the game.
After Game 3, Harper opened up on what he feels following a rigorous game that saw him struggle to get going offensively against the Thunder.
“It’s definitely something you could feel,” Harper, the second overall pick of the 2025 NBA draft, said of the swelling and soreness in his adductor. “But I think I kind of played with the same burst, (or) I at least tried to play with the same burst and with that same intensity I’ve been playing with.”
Harper finished with six points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field, along with three rebounds and two assists. He also committed two turnovers in the loss.
Harper’s availability was a game-time decision in Game 3. He participated in the team’s warmups and shootaround before deciding that he could play in the game.
Harper said he felt good before Game 3, allowing him to play against the Thunder and contribute off the bench.
“I always knew I had a chance to play,” he said. “It was more just going through warmups and how I’m feeling. And I felt good. But I think coming out of it, obviously the ultimate goal is to win the game, and we didn’t do that.”
Spurs guard Dylan Harper, on playing through injury: “I always knew I had a chance to play. It was more just going through warmups and how I’m feeling. And I felt good. But I think coming out of it, obviously the ultimate goal is to win the game, and we didn’t do that.”
Harper started in the first two games of the series as the Spurs played without former All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, who is nursing a high right ankle sprain.
Fox played in Game 3, despite the injury, starting the game to contribute 17 points, albeit with experiencing multiple injury scares.
GettyDe’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate amid questions surrounding the team’s plans ahead of Game 4 against Oklahoma City.
Dylan Harper received massive praise from Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson after playing through his injury in Game 3 against the Thunder.
“I’m sure they’re beat up. They’re giving us everything they got,” Johnson said of Harper and Fox, the team’s top point guards. “It’s commendable, the fight they have. It’s that time of the year when guys are playing with more than bumps and bruises, so just tip the cap and ask as much as they can give.”
However, Harper looked far from his usual self in Game 3. He had 24 points in Game 1 and 12 points in Game 2.
Harper, a marquee perimeter defender, also could not stay in front of opposing players because of his injuries.
GettySan Antonio Spurs guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper share a moment with Victor Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama sent an encouraging message to Harper and Fox as they go through injuries in the Western Conference Finals.
“It pains me to see them in pain,” said Wembanyama. “I trust they are going to be healthy soon and come back. They should take care of their health.”
Wembanyama had 26 points but struggled to get a position inside the paint as the Spurs trail the Thunder in the series.
Game 4 will be on Sunday, May 24, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time in San Antonio.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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