The San Antonio Spurs extended the Western Conference finals on Thursday night, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 at Frost Bank Center behind a balanced effort and a strong response after a disappointing Game 5 loss. Rookie guard Dylan Harper played a major role with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes, then delivered an honest assessment of his mindset heading into a winner-take-all Game 7.
“Legendary,” Harper said when asked for the first thing that came to mind about Saturday’s Game 7 in Oklahoma City. “I think there’s been a lot of legendary Game 7s and I feel like we’re the group that we want to be a part of that. We want to be a part of that kind of history of Game 7. So we’re going to go out there swinging no matter what. We’re going to leave it all on the table.”
The rookie said his improved play in Game 6 came after teammates and staff helped restore confidence following San Antonio’s 127-114 loss in Game 5.
“Yeah, definitely,” Harper said when asked whether he looked mentally more relaxed. “I think after last game, people pulled me aside, just kept instilling confidence in me, kind of telling me that, you know, just go out there and be me, be attacking at all times. I think I went out there and did that today.”
Harper’s aggression mattered for a Spurs team that needed production beyond Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks as San Antonio forced the series back to Oklahoma City tied 3-3.
The first-year guard said the Spurs cannot afford another slow road start in Game 7 after inconsistent performances away from home during the series.
“I think for us really just kind of put our imprint in the game early, not relaxing and waiting for us to respond,” Harper said. “I think we got to go out there and just throw the first swing. And I think that’s the biggest thing for us and just for the bench just coming out there and just proving ourselves.”
San Antonio seized momentum in Game 6 by holding Oklahoma City scoreless for eight minutes in the third quarter and producing a 22-0 run that turned the game into a blowout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting, while the Thunder shot 37% from the field and 25% from three.
Harper said desperation has to translate into consistent execution when both teams face elimination.
“The biggest thing you said is being desperate,” Harper said. “I think both teams are going to be like that. But just talking for us, being desperate looks different in a lot of ways and we just got to go out there with the mentality of we got to hit first and regardless of what’s going on in the game, we can’t get too high, can’t get too low. Just got to be steady throughout the whole way.”
The rookie also reflected on how quickly his first NBA season has evolved, saying the stage no longer feels overwhelming.
“No, to be honest,” Harper said when asked whether he still feels like a rookie. “It’s a long season. Game 100 counting preseason for us. So it feels like I’ve kind of been in the league for a little while now… for the most part, I feel like I belong.”
Game 7 is set for Saturday night in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
