Spurs’ Dylan Harper pulls off rare feat last done by Manu Ginobili

With Victor Wembanyama getting himself ejected in the second quarter of the San Antonio Spurs’ 114-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their semifinal matchup, the Spurs needed a spark to hold down the fort for them.

That spark came in the form of rookie guard Dylan Harper, who scored 24 points, hauled in seven rebounds, and recorded three steals while shooting 8-11 from the field, giving the Spurs a much-needed boost with Wembanyama out. This game may have come in a defeat, but Harper being this good all while being just 20 years of age is another piece of evidence that San Antonio is just going to get better from here on out.

In fact, Harper became the first Spurs player to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a playoff game despite coming off the bench since Manu Ginobili accomplished the feat, as per StatMuse. Ginobili is one of the greatest sixth men in the history of the NBA, if not the greatest outright, and it’s always a positive for a rookie guard to draw comparisons to one of the greatest players in Spurs franchise history.

It helps as well that Harper and Ginobili are both lefties, and it looks as though Harper is going to be coming off the Spurs bench for at least the first few years of his career. San Antonio has significant money committed to De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle has the two-guard spot nailed down, leaving Harper in a bench role.

Be that as it may, Harper is already showing that he has the ability to rise to the occasion, and this fearlessness, much like Ginobili’s before him, should make him an incredible weapon for the Spurs to have, whether from the starting lineup or from the bench.

For now, however, Harper and the Spurs will be focusing on winning Game 5 back at home on Tuesday night at 8:00 PM E.T.

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