Dylan Harper Undergoes Thumb Surgery, Targets Spurs’ Opener
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San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, had surgery Friday to repair a partial ligament tear in his left thumb, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The procedure, performed on Sept. 5, is intended to put Harper on track to play in the Oct. 29 season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, team officials said. Even if that timeline holds, the injury will sideline the 19-year-old throughout training camp, limiting his opportunity to assimilate into head coach Gregg Popovich’s system.
Beat writer Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reported that Harper suffered the injury during an offseason workout at the Spurs’ practice facility on Wednesday. Sources told McDonald that Harper is “unlikely” to appear in any preseason games.
San Antonio had planned to use the highly touted guard off the bench behind veteran starter De’Aaron Fox. Should Harper be unavailable when the regular season begins, backup minutes are expected to fall to Jordan McLaughlin and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
Source: HoopsRumors
