NBA insiders wonder if Spurs should turn to Dylan Harper in must-win Game 5

June 13, 2026

The Spurs enter Game 5 of the NBA Finals facing elimination, but according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, several people around the league believe San Antonio may have an answer sitting right in front of it.

His name is Dylan Harper.

In speaking with executives, scouts and other league observers after the Spurs’ devastating Game 4 collapse, Windhorst and Bontemps found a common theme: Many believe Harper deserves an even larger role as San Antonio tries to extend its season.

The rookie guard has been terrific throughout the Finals, averaging 16.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while continuing to come off the bench. He scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Game 4, yet was largely sidelined late as De’Aaron Fox controlled the offense down the stretch.

That didn’t go unnoticed.

“He’s their second-best player,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN. “It’s incredible how good he’s become so quickly.”

Another league observer suggested the Spurs should consider moving Harper into the starting lineup for just the seventh time in his NBA career.

Of course, Harper isn’t the only storyline entering Saturday night.

As Windhorst and Bontemps noted, rival executives are also watching to see how San Antonio responds after blowing a Finals-record 29-point lead in Game 4. One Western Conference scout described Game 5 as a test of the Spurs’ toughness and maturity.

“They’ve shown they’ve got resilience, and they have a lot of emotional maturity,” the scout told ESPN. “They’ve shown they can get off the mat. But was that game the final straw?”

The other question surrounds Victor Wembanyama, who logged 44 minutes in Game 4 and appeared worn down as the game progressed.

The good news for San Antonio is that two days off may have given its franchise star the recovery time he needs.

Either way, the Spurs have no margin for error now. And if league insiders are right, Harper may be asked to play the biggest role of his young career.