The San Antonio Spurs may have been without franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama for Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers, but their young core stepped up in a big way on the road.
Rookie Dylan Harper delivered an electric performance off the bench, scoring 27 points to lead San Antonio to a 120–108 victory and a 2–1 series lead.
Dylan Harper Makes NBA History in Game 3 Against the Blazers
With Wembanyama sidelined due to a concussion suffered in Game 2, the Spurs faced a tough test in Portland. However, Harper, along with Stephon Castle, rose to the occasion.
Harper attacked aggressively from the start, applying constant pressure on Portland’s defense. In 30 minutes, he recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with a steal and a block, finishing with a +25 plus-minus.
His performance etched his name into the record books, as he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20 or more points off the bench in a playoff game since Kobe Bryant scored 22 as an 18-year-old in 1997.
Youngest players in NBA history to score 20+ off the bench in a playoff game:
1) Kobe Bryant – 18 years old, 22 PTS [4/30/97]
2) Dylan Harper – 20 years old, 27 PTS [4/25/26]— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 25, 2026
It wasn’t the only milestone. With Castle pouring in a team-high 33 points, he and Harper became just the second duo aged 21 or younger to each score at least 25 points in a playoff game. The only other pair to accomplish this were Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook during the 2010 playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Super talented, played a downhill game,” Castle said of Harper. “The guy got to his spots. We don’t expect [anything] less [because of] how much work he puts in, how confident he is. Once you play a team a certain amount of times, you start to figure each other out and you just have to grind those games out. Every possession matters.”
Harper has shown positive signs throughout his rookie season, but this performance marked a major statement on the playoff stage. He credited San Antonio legend Manu Ginobili for helping him embrace his new role.
“I play a role I’m not used to [off the bench],” Harper said, “but he [Ginobili] kind of put in my head that you’ve got to impact the game in any way you can.”
Portland had a rare opportunity to capitalize on Wembanyama’s absence, but couldn’t take control, despite five players scoring in double figures and Jrue Holiday leading the way with 29 points.
While Wembanyama’s status for Game 4 is still up in the air, the challenge remains daunting for the Trail Blazers. However, a win at home on Sunday, and Portland could keep believing.
