NBA: Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during the 2025 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on July 15, 2025 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Brian Babineau / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP
San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper underwent surgery to repair a partially torn collateral ligament in his left thumb in an attempt to make it back in time for the season opener, per multiple reports on Friday.
The 19-year-old injured his thumb in a preseason workout on Wednesday. He competed in two Las Vegas Summer League games earlier this offseason.
Harper scored exactly 16 points in each of the Spurs' two summer victories, though he made just one of his eight 3-point attempts.
Harper, a guard out of Rutgers, was the No. 2 overall selection in the June draft. During his lone season with the Scarlet Knights, Harper posted averages of 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The Spurs begin the regular season against the Dallas Mavericks and No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg on Oct. 22.
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—Field Level Media/Reuters