San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper has undergone surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb but is expected to be ready for the team’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on October 22, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
The 19-year-old, sustained the injury during a workout earlier in the week. By opting for a quick procedure, the Spurs believe he will be back in time for his debut alongside No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Rutgers was selected second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, one of two first-round choices made by San Antonio.
The other was Arizona forward Carter Bryant, taken with the 14th pick.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor praised Harper as a prospect who could have gone first overall if not for Flagg.
“He’s a big-bodied lefty combo guard who has a high floor with the skill, poise and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace,” O’Connor wrote. “Now that he’ll be sharing shot-creation responsibilities in San Antonio, he’ll be able to use his 6-foot-11 wingspan to greater effect on the defensive end and also utilize his bruising interior finishing as a cutter on offense. But he made only 36.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s and just 28.7 percent of his dribble jumpers, so his fit with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle is a question.”
In his lone year at Rutgers, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and four assists while hitting 33 percent from deep. He also impressed in Summer League action, posting 16 points, four rebounds and two assists per contest across two appearances.
Even with Harper likely to open as a reserve, the Spurs’ guard rotation is already stacked. D
e’Aaron Fox just signed a four-year, $229 million extension, while 2024 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle is back in the backcourt. The projected starting lineup also features Victor Wembanyama at center, flanked by Devin Vassell and Harrison Barnes at forward.