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The San Antonio Spurs fell to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, sealing their fate as the runner-up of this year’s championship series.
While the Spurs put forth a disappointing effort in the NBA Finals, the franchise still has a lot to look forward to with its young core of talented players.
The Spurs already had an excellent duo featuring 22-year-old superstar Victor Wembanyama and 21-year-old guard Stephon Castle, who notched back-to-back Rookie of the Year trophies in San Antonio. But after the conclusion of the 2026 postseason, it’s clear the team has another future star in Dylan Harper.
Harper, a 20-year-old rookie, finished the Spurs’ Game 5 loss with a team-high 25 points through 31 minutes off the bench. He averaged 18 points, 6.4 rebounds and three assists per game through his first five NBA Finals appearances.
Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
More basketball: Mitchell Robinson Posts Emotional Message After Knicks Championship Win
“It meant a lot. I think a whole lot to grow on, whole lot to learn on,” Harper said of his first playoff run. “It’s my first year, and you know, can’t keep moving forward if you don’t have a positive attitude.
“Obviously we lost and I wanted to win that. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to regroup, bounce back, get ready for next year.”
More basketball:Julian Champagnie Had Simple Message For Stephon Castle After Loss: Report
Harper finished fourth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, trailing Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and V.J. Edgecombe. But after elevating his play in the postseason, he’ll enter his second NBA season with higher expectations as one of the best young guards in the league.
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While the Spurs put forth a disappointing effort in the NBA Finals, the franchise still has a lot to look forward to with its young core of talented players.
The Spurs already had an excellent duo featuring 22-year-old superstar Victor Wembanyama and 21-year-old guard Stephon Castle, who notched back-to-back Rookie of the Year trophies in San Antonio. But after the conclusion of the 2026 postseason, it’s clear the team has another future star in Dylan Harper.
Harper, a 20-year-old rookie, finished the Spurs’ Game 5 loss with a team-high 25 points through 31 minutes off the bench. He averaged 18 points, 6.4 rebounds and three assists per game through his first five NBA Finals appearances.
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Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs and Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
More basketball: Mitchell Robinson Posts Emotional Message After Knicks Championship Win
“It meant a lot. I think a whole lot to grow on, whole lot to learn on,” Harper said of his first playoff run. “It’s my first year, and you know, can’t keep moving forward if you don’t have a positive attitude.
“Obviously we lost and I wanted to win that. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to regroup, bounce back, get ready for next year.”
Dylan Harper reflects on his recent playoff experience and how much it meant to him:
“It meant a lot. I think a whole lot to grow on, whole lot to learn on..
It’s my first year, and you know can’t keep moving forward if you don’t have a positive attitude.
Obviously we lost and… pic.twitter.com/Pr6U9cvbKH
— Wemby Alien Era (@WembyAlienEra) June 15, 2026
More basketball:Julian Champagnie Had Simple Message For Stephon Castle After Loss: Report
Harper finished fourth in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, trailing Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and V.J. Edgecombe. But after elevating his play in the postseason, he’ll enter his second NBA season with higher expectations as one of the best young guards in the league.
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