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Dylan Harper NBA Summer League debut: How Spurs guard performed vs. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz07/12/25NickSchultz_7
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper
© Candice Ward-Imagn Images

After missing the San Antonio Spurs’ first NBA Summer League game this week, Dylan Harper made his debut. It came on a big stage, too, as the Spurs took on Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks.

Harper made quite an impression early, totaling nine points in the first half to go with three rebounds and a highlight-reel block. His playmaking ability remained on full display after halftime, and he finished his debut with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Spurs got the 76-69 victory.

The Spurs selected Harper with the second overall pick in the draft, meaning the top two picks went head-to-head Saturday for the first time. He’s coming off a standout season at Rutgers where he and Ace Bailey shined to become eventual lottery picks.

Harper led the Scarlet Knights with 19.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a freshman before an injury cut his season short. He also added 4.6 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from three-point territory. He arrived in Piscataway as a five-star prospect and the No. 3-ranked player from the 2024 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Saturday’s game marked Harper’s first game action in four months due to an injury suffered against Rutgers. He was on a minutes restriction, but felt satisfied with how he played.

“I think I came out great,” Harper told ESPN’s Katie George after the game. “Just trying to get my guys involved and trying to play the right way and just ultimately, come out here and win, and that’s what we did today. I feel like I had a good day.”

Dylan Harper settling in with Spurs ahead of rookie year

Now settling in with the Spurs, Dylan Harper is building relationships with Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan, he told Andscape’s Mark J. Spears. It was quite the whirlwind when he arrived at the facility and saw the two legends walking around.

“It caught me off guard,” Harper told Andscape. “I was like, ‘What are they doing here?’ I was like, ‘Maybe they’re just here this one day?’ And they’re like, ‘No, they are here all the time.’ And so, when they talk about the Spurs’ organization and their culture, that’s really what culture is.”

Harper joins a young Spurs team, headlined by former No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama and former lottery selection Stephon Castle. The franchise is in a period of transition after Gregg Popovich’s retirement from coaching as he now becomes the president of basketball operations.