Dylan Harper Drops 27 Off the Bench to Keep Wemby-Less Spurs Alive
With Victor Wembanyama sidelined, rookie Dylan Harper came off the bench for 27 points as the Spurs rallied past the Blazers to take a 2-1 series lead.
Dylan Harper Drops 27 Off the Bench to Keep Wemby-Less Spurs Alive
The story of the San Antonio Spurs this season has been Victor Wembanyama — his development, his brilliance, his Defensive Player of the Year award. But in Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers, it was time for somebody else to step up.
With Wembanyama in concussion protocol and unavailable, the Spurs needed their supporting cast to carry the load. They delivered.
Stephon Castle had 33. Dylan Harper had 27 off the bench. The Spurs won the game and the 2-1 series lead.
Harper's Coming Out Party
Dylan Harper has been one of the more intriguing rookies in this class — a player with the size and skill set that scouts drool over, still finding his footing at the NBA level. Game 3 looked like a coming-out moment.
27 points off the bench in a playoff game without your franchise player on the floor is a statement. Harper was not tentative. He attacked the rim, made plays, and gave the Spurs the secondary scoring they desperately needed on a night when Wemby's presence could not bail anyone out.
Castle Was Magnificent
If Harper was the backup story, Stephon Castle was the main one. A game-high 33 points from a player in his first NBA playoffs shows a mental composure that most veterans do not have. Castle kept the Spurs in it when Portland made runs and delivered the production San Antonio needed to get the win.
The Series Picture
San Antonio now leads 2-1, which feels remarkable given that they are without the best player on their roster. When Wembanyama returns — and the expectation is that he will — the Blazers' chances drop considerably.
Portland fought. They competed. But holding off a young, deep Spurs team for four games without a major injury of their own is going to be difficult.
The Bottom Line
The Spurs are deeper and more resilient than most expected. Harper and Castle are the next generation of San Antonio basketball, and they showed up when it mattered most. Wemby's return will only make things harder for every opponent left in this bracket.