Dylan Harper reflects on Spurs’ NBA Finals heartbreak
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper speaks to the media prior to the start of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
The San Antonio Spurs saw their dream season come to a close after a loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. But for Filipino American NBA rookie Dylan Harper, it also marked the conclusion of a rookie season that exceeded expectations.
At just 20 years old, Harper played a major role in helping guide one of the NBA’s youngest teams to the Finals. Alongside fellow young stars Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama, he helped transform San Antonio from an emerging squad into one of the league’s biggest surprises.
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‘We learned a lot’
While the loss to New York was difficult to accept, Harper chose to focus on what the Spurs accomplished throughout their playoff run.
“We learned a lot in this Playoff run. A lot of people counted us out, and I think that we just proved people wrong. It didn’t go how we wanted to go, but we definitely learned a lot,” Harper said after the game.
Dylan Harper:“A lot of people counted us out and I think that we just proved people wrong. It didn’t go how we wanted to go, but we definitely learned a lot” pic.twitter.com/FYgZWjwLxy
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 14, 2026
Few expected the Spurs to make a serious championship push, especially with such a young roster. Yet the team continued to silence doubters, reaching the NBA Finals and establishing itself as a force for years to come.
Following the Finals loss, Spurs veteran Devin Vassell revealed that the rookie had experienced frustrations throughout the season, particularly regarding his playing time and changing responsibilities on the court.
Despite those challenges, Vassell said Harper never stopped working and delivered when the team needed him most.
‘A star in the making’
“Dylan, I think we all knew he was talented. I don’t know anybody—if anybody knew he was talented, probably besides himself. He was upset with playing time and different roles that he was in, but when we needed him most, he stepped up and we have a star in the making,” Vassell said.
Genuinely fascinating that Vassell says Dylan Harper was upset with playing time and roles throughout the season. pic.twitter.com/QBj5IpJBD2
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 14, 2026
The veteran also highlighted Harper’s improvement on both ends of the floor and believes the young guard is only scratching the surface of his potential.
“I know that he’s gonna put so much work into the offseason. It’s not just offensively, but defensively, he’s made a lot of plays. He’s grown so much. And was he 20, 21 years old? I mean, the sky’s the limit for him.”
