Spurs’ Dylan Harper tied Kawhi Leonard’s NBA playoff record with a 4-1 win over the Trail Blazers. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
2017 has been a long time coming, but the San Antonio Spurs are finally back in the second round of the NBA playoffs. Victor Wembanyama was the clear leader against the Portland Trail Blazers. De’Aaron Fox also had a key masterclass in Game 5. However, there’s one guy who’s been overlooked who just got the record that Kawhi Leonard last touched – Dylan Harper.
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Harper ties Leonard’s NBA playoff record as Spurs beat Trail Blazers
Coach Mitch Johnson benched Dylan Harper, who played just 26 minutes, but those decisions were not in vain. Harper came into the game with 17 points, leading all bench players for the Spurs and Trail Blazers. His efficiency in Game 5 was also very high. Harper shot 67% from the field, 100% from three-point range, and 80% from the free throw line.
The offense wasn’t the only part of Harper’s performance. Defensively, the Spurs rookies also played excellent defense to contain the Trail Blazers. He grabbed three rebounds and surprisingly got past opposing ball handlers for three steals. Ultimately, Harper’s plus-minus in this NBA playoff game reached +2.
With this effort, Harper became the first rookie since Kawhi Leonard to score more than 15 points and three steals in the NBA playoffs, according to StatMuse. It is worth noting that Leonard made his playoff debut as early as 2012. This means Harper breaks the Spurs’ 14-year record and, in the long run, will join Victor Wembunyama on his path to two-way stardom.
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The Spurs now await the winner between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves to see who they will face in the second round of the NBA playoffs.