Spurs’ Dylan Harper (calf) returns in win vs. Trail Blazers

Portland, Ore. — San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall player in this year’s NBA draft, returned to Portland on Wednesday after missing 10 games with a left calf strain.

Harper had seven points, three rebounds and two assists in the Spurs’ 115–102 victory over the Trail Blazers, keeping them in position to win their NBA Cup group.

Coach Mitch Johnson later said, “I thought he was great.” “We needed his full 16-and-a-half minutes and it was good to see him back on the court. This is the kid’s sixth game. He’s been out for about a month. He was great.”

During San Antonio’s first loss of the season at Phoenix on November 2, Harper suffered a shin injury while defending a Nick Richards dunk. An MRI later revealed the strain.

The 19-year-old Harper averaged 14 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists over his first six games, shooting 50% from the field and 35.7% from 3-point range. He played at least 22 minutes in all five games before the injury, and Johnson credited his time spent on Harper’s sideline for his playing time on Wednesday.

“He was roasted in 16 minutes, so I guess yes, that’s part of the process,” Johnson joked.

It was the first time the Spurs had starting point guards De’Aaron Fox and Harper available in the same game after Fox missed the beginning of the season with a hamstring injury. To limit Harper’s minutes, the two playmakers shared the court for only 1:26 during the fourth quarter, otherwise alternating at the point.

As he moves forward, Harper said he looks forward to working closely with Fox.

“Playing with someone with such a high IQ,” he said. “You play the same positions, so I think we both understand where each other and everybody else is going to be. Just playing with him on the floor, I think it’s going to be a matchup nightmare for anybody.”

French phenom Victor Wembanyama (calf) and guard Stephane Cassel (hip flexor strain), San Antonio’s lottery picks the last two years, remain out, but are expected to be reevaluated soon to begin the process for their respective returns.