When Victor Wembanyama got injured in Game 2 and was ruled out with a concussion, a sense of impending doom settled over San Antonio’s faithful. Heading out on the road to face a Portland Trail Blazers team that had stolen the momentum, the Spurs desperately needed someone to step up.
Enter Dylan Harper. The 20-year-old delivered a memorable performance on Friday night, helping the Spurs take a 2-1 series lead.
How the NBA World Reacted to Dylan Harper’s Game 3 Masterclass vs. Portland
Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had his moments of brilliance throughout his rookie campaign, but few expected him to shine under the bright lights in a pivotal playoff game.
Without Wembanyama’s presence, San Antonio was viewed as highly vulnerable heading into Game 3, with many expecting the Spurs to buckle under the pressure in a difficult road game.
However, Harper aggressively attacked Portland’s defense from the get-go, never letting his foot off the gas. In 30 minutes of action, the rookie exploded for 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, while adding 1 steal and 1 block on the defensive end.
Every time Portland threatened to spark a run and get the home crowd back into the game, Harper had an answer, finishing with a +25 plus-minus rating in the 12-point victory.
The reactions from many in the NBA space highlighted just how impressive Harper’s performance was, with Bill Simmons remarking, “New NBA rule – DON’T TALK SH*T TO DYLAN HARPER.”
New NBA rule — DON’T TALK SHIT TO DYLAN HARPER.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 25, 2026
2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins was full of praise for San Antonio, posting, “The Young Spurs played like grown a** men tonight with a HUGE Win on the road. Castle and Harper was something Special!!! God Bless America.”
Meanwhile, the NBA handle posted a clip from Harper’s clinical night, captioning it, “DYLAN HARPER?!? WOAH 😳”
DYLAN HARPER?!?
WOAH 😳 pic.twitter.com/XIxB5Ynaks
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
LegionHoops shared Stephon Castle and Harper’s production for San Antonio when they desperately needed it, remarking, “… NO WEMBY? NO PROBLEM. SPURS GO UP 2-1 OVER THE BLAZERS. 🔥”
Stephon Castle: Dylan Harper:
33 points 27 points
5 assists 10 rebounds
10/18 FG 9/12 FG
3/4 3P 4/5 3PNO WEMBY? NO PROBLEM. SPURS GO UP 2-1 OVER THE BLAZERS. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CcNTW5fHEE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 25, 2026
“Dylan Harper in Game 3 with Wemby out,” HaterReport posted, comparing Harper’s performance to that of LeBron James.
Dylan Harper in Game 3 with Wemby out pic.twitter.com/dTpFdnob6t
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) April 25, 2026
While it was a special night for the Spurs, Portland completely failed to exploit Wembanyama’s absence in the frontcourt, as Scoot Henderson struggled to match Harper’s production, finishing with 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist on 8-for-18 shooting.
Thanks to Harper’s heroics, the Spurs have shifted the pressure back onto the Trail Blazers and will look to take a 3-1 lead when the two teams meet in Game 4 at the Moda Center.
