Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Sidelined With Left Calf Strain, Out Multiple Weeks
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San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper will be out for an extended period after an MRI on Monday showed a left calf strain, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Team sources told Charania the 19-year-old is expected to miss “multiple weeks.”
A Spurs spokesperson confirmed the diagnosis and added that no ligament damage was found, the San Antonio Express-News reported. The club said Harper will be re-evaluated in at least one week.
The injury occurred Sunday night during San Antonio’s 112-101 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Midway through the second quarter, Harper grabbed his left leg after attempting to block a dunk by Suns center Nick Richards. He did not return and was ruled out at halftime.
Head coach Mitch Johnson offered no timetable after the game, noting only that the rookie departed Footprint Center on crutches and in a walking boot. “I believe it’s something with his calf, but I don’t have anything as of yet,” Johnson told reporters.
Selected No. 2 overall in June, Harper has averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three and 83.3 percent from the foul line over his first six NBA appearances. His 23.3 minutes per game off the bench have helped the Spurs start the season 5-1. Before exiting Sunday, he scored 12 points in 11 minutes.
This is Harper’s second notable injury in two months. He underwent surgery in early September to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb suffered during the offseason.
San Antonio’s injury list remains lengthy. De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) has yet to play this year, while Jeremy Sochan continues to recover from a summer calf issue. Luke Kornet (ankle), Kelly Olynyk (heel) and Lindy Waters III (eye) missed Sunday’s game but traveled for the two-game road swing. Johnson said some of those players could return Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, though their availability is unrelated to Harper’s status.
Source: Hoops Rumors
