If Dylan Harper meets the expectations, the San Antonio Spurs could have the very best guard rotation in the NBA. De’Aaron Fox is a proven All-Star, Stephon Castle was the best rookie last season, and Harper is generally seen as the best point guard prospect since Cade Cunningham.
However, it might be some time before all three share the court.
Fox revealed that he is bothered by a nagging hamstring injury. As of September 29, he is not expected to play in the season opener. Castle was durable, missing only one game last season. Harper, on the other hand, spent most of his summer recovering from a thumb injury.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 25: Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs speaks to the media after being drafted second overall during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
Dylan Harper Gives Injury Update
Earlier this summer, Harper underwent surgery on a partially torn collateral ligament in his left thumb. He managed to play in two summer league games, although the injury cast doubt on his ability to play in the Spurs’ first game against the Dallas Mavericks.
At media day, he dismissed any concerns.
“I definitely believe so,” he said when asked if he will play in the preseason. “I think just listening to the staff, the medical staff, to the coaches, and just getting their advice. But for me, personally, I feel good. And I think rehab has been going very well, and I’ve just been trying to stay at it day by day.”
It seems like he’s ahead of schedule.
While Fox is easily the second-best player on the roster behind Victor Wembanyama, Harper is seen as a long-term running mate and key piece for the Spurs moving forward.
San Antonio Spurs’ Opening Night Roster
In an ideal world, Fox and Wembanyama will share the floor on opening night.
However, with Fox’s hamstring making that appear more and more unlikely, there is a chance the Spurs will give Harper a start to open the season against first overall pick Cooper Flagg. Suddenly, fans are primed for a marquee matchup.
With Harper, Wembanyama, and Castle all sharing the floor, Mitch Johnson will need to surround that trio with shooters. Jeremy Sochan has been in and out of the starting lineup, and fans can expect him to open the season on the bench.
With Castle a shaky shooter at best and Harper totally unproven at the NBA level, Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell will likely get a chance to shine as high-level floor-spacers, giving the Spurs a bit of everything in their first game on October 22.
Wembanyama has long been cleared from the blood clot that kept him out for the entire second half of last season and will certainly make his long-awaited return to action.
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