Dylan Harper Drops 21, Crowns Wemby the Next Wilt

Dylan Harper posted 21 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and five rebounds over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 112-111 win over Dallas.

It is the fourth time in eight games to begin the season that Harper has produced 20-plus points.

The second-year guard is taking a big leap forward from his rookie campaign.

He is averaging 18.6 points, 5.6 boards, 4.6 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 steals in 33.1 minutes.

Harper is shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 37.0 percent from beyond the arc.

The Spurs improved to 6-2 with the victory.

Victor Wembanyama dominated the Mavericks on home court in the same game.

He finished with 52 points, 24 rebounds, eight blocks, two assists and two steals with just one turnover.

Wembanyama shot 16-of-28 from the field and 19-of-23 from the free-throw line, including the game-winning free throw.

It was the first stat line of its kind in the NBA since Bob McAdoo in 1974.

After posting those video-game numbers, Wembanyama invited comparisons to only one man: Wilt Chamberlain.

“He basically Wilt,” said Harper after the win.

Cooper Flagg also played in the game, ending with 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and just one turnover.

Flagg shot a rough 7-of-19 from the field and 0-of-3 from deep after starting the game 1-11.

Wembanyama struggled from beyond the arc himself, hitting just 1-of-8 from deep.

But in every other facet of the game, he dominated the young star.

Wembanyama blocked Flagg twice and scored an AND-1 right over him in crucial moments.

The matchup drew by far the most attention in the league that night.

Harper went toe-to-toe with the Mavericks' backcourt and held his own.

The Spurs now have a 6-2 record early in the season.

Harper's leap from his rookie year is a key reason for that start.

He is providing consistent scoring and playmaking alongside Wembanyama.

The combination gives San Antonio a young core that looks dangerous.

Both players are under 22 years old.

The Spurs are building around two players who can each create their own shot.

Harper's efficiency numbers are up across the board.

His assist numbers have climbed as he gets more comfortable in the offense.

Defensively, he is averaging a steal per game and holding his own on the perimeter.

The Mavericks came into the game with high expectations after adding Klay Thompson in the offseason.

Luka Doncic poured in another 40-point outing to surpass Michael Jordan for the best scoring start to a season.

Klay Thompson turned back the clock with 30 points, eight threes and a game-winner.

None of it was enough to steal the night from Wembanyama and the Spurs.

Harper's 21 points were a crucial complement to Wembanyama's historic night.

The Spurs are showing they can win close games.

Their 112-111 victory was a one-possession game down to the final seconds.

Harper hit key shots down the stretch to keep the Spurs in control.

His growth from year one to year two is exactly what the Spurs hoped for when they drafted him.

San Antonio selected Harper with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

He averaged 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a rookie.

Those numbers have jumped significantly in his second season.

The Spurs are now a team that other Western Conference contenders have to take seriously.

Wembanyama is already being discussed as a potential MVP candidate.

Harper is giving the Spurs another reason to be excited about their future.

The team has a young core that can grow together over the next several years.

Harper's shooting improvement is one of the most encouraging signs.

He shot 43 percent from the field and 32 percent from three as a rookie.

Now he is at 50 percent from the floor and 37 percent from beyond the arc.

That kind of leap changes how defenses have to guard the Spurs.

If Harper can keep shooting at this level, the Spurs' offense becomes much harder to stop.