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Dylan Harper delivered a defining postseason performance on Friday night, finishing with 27 points and 10 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3 at the Moda Center.
Speaking after the win, Harper kept the tone direct when assessing the result. “It’s pretty good. We got the win. Happy,” he said.
The Spurs overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit, a swing Harper attributed to collective effort and energy. “I think collective group, the energy was kind of down,” he said. “When I came in the game, my biggest focus was not trying to get it all at once, just try to be that energy guy that came in and played hard.”
Harper’s impact came through activity rather than volume early, as he highlighted rebounding and transition play. “Once I started doing that, I think the game kind of just opened up,” he said. “Whether that was me getting offensive rebounds or getting in transition.”
San Antonio flipped an 82-67 deficit into an 88-87 lead entering the fourth quarter, supported by a 21-5 run that changed the game’s structure. Harper’s minutes aligned with that shift in momentum.
The rookie guard also leaned into the physical playoff environment, referencing the intensity of the matchup. “It’s playoff basketball. It’s the best basketball in the world,” he said. “We’re both two competitive players, so at the end of the day, we’re going to compete and words are exchanged, but it’s always basketball.”
Harper was also asked about stepping into high-pressure situations at this stage of his career. He kept his approach grounded in routine rather than narrative. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself and just think of this game as any other game,” he said. “Just wanting to be assertive any way I can and just not overthink what I do on the basketball floor.”
San Antonio played without Victor Wembanyama, but Harper pointed to internal belief as the defining factor. “We don’t really care what anybody else has to say outside of our locker room,” he said. “We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We know how good we are.”
He also emphasized the team’s response after falling behind by double digits. “Down 10, down 15 in a game like that with a lot of time to go, we just need to string some stops together and keep fighting,” Harper said. “We have a lot of dogs that aren’t going to quit on our team. That’s what you saw tonight.”
Harper reserved specific praise for teammate Carter Bryant, highlighting chemistry built long before the NBA. “I’m the biggest Carter Bryant fan,” he said. “I’ve known him since freshman, sophomore year of high school. He’s one of the hardest workers I know.”
He added that Bryant’s third-quarter surge reflected persistence rather than surprise. “Once he hit that step-back three, I’m like, this is time for you to turn it up a notch,” Harper said.
San Antonio now leads the series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday back in Portland. Harper, however, kept the focus unchanged. “This is something I’ve always wanted,” he said. “Just grateful to be on this stage, but for me, just trying to take it day by day. You got to win two more.”
