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Dylan Harper finally reveals the secret behind his playoff composure after Spurs’ Game 7 win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dylan Harper has continued to show maturity beyond his years, performing with the calm and control of a seasoned veteran rather than a rookie. As the No. 2 overall lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, he has also taken on tough on-ball defensive responsibilities on one of the biggest stages of the season.
Following the Spurs’ Game 7 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harper spoke on his approach to handling pressure and staying grounded throughout the run.
"Be confident and just stay in the moment,” Harper said. “That was the biggest thing, just being where my feet are. Obviously, life is a bunch of ups and downs, and I've been through a lot of ups and downs this season, so I've kind of just stayed in the gym, just keep grinding."
In Saturday’s Game 7, Harper came off the bench and made a strong impact in 27 minutes of action. He finished with 12 points on efficient shooting, hitting 5 of 8 shots overall and 2 of 3 from three-point range, while also contributing seven rebounds and three assists in a well-rounded performance.
Harper's postseason production has placed him in rare company, as he became the first rookie since 2018 to reach both 15 made three-pointers and 15 steals in a single playoff run, matching the type of two-way impact last seen from players like Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell during their early postseason breakthroughs. He has also become just the second rookie in two decades to score in double figures in a Conference Finals Game 7, joining only Jayson Tatum in that span.
Across the series, Harper has totaled 84 points, the highest mark by a player aged 20 or younger in a Western Conference Finals since Magic Johnson scored 87 against the SuperSonics in 1980.
With his postseason breakout continuing, he now stands on the verge of rare history. He is in position to become only the sixth player ever to win an NBA championship before turning 21 and potentially the first in decades to do so while playing a significant rotational role.
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