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DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 22: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The San Antonio Spurs have gotten some horrendous injury news concerning second overall pick Dylan Harper. Harper left a game against the Suns on November 2 with a calf injury, playing just two minutes in that affair.
Harper, the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been a key member of the Spurs. He has been coming off the bench, even with De’Aaron Fox still injured. Harper has been the primary ball-handler for the team coming off the bench, which is all they need him to do.
Harper returned to the bench after his injury with crutches and wearing a walking boot. The Spurs have now indicated just how bad the injury is and how much time he is expected to miss.
San Antonio Spurs Guard Dylan Harper to Miss Multiple Weeks
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Harper has suffered a left calf strain. That strain is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Charania mentioned that further imaging showed that his absence will not be significant, which is some good news.
Shams Charania
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper has suffered a left calf strain and is expected to miss multiple weeks, sources tell ESPN. MRI on Monday revealed Harper avoided a significant absence.
Without Harper in the lineup, the Spurs will be without a primary ball-handler on the bench. He has been their main source of playmaking thus far. His scoring has been much-needed off he bench as well, as he is the fourth-leading scorer on the team.
With Harper expected to miss weeks of time, the Spurs will likely have to stagger Stephon Castle’s minutes with bench players to keep the offense flowing. Devin Vassell might see increased minutes with the backups, as well.
Harper has started the season with a true shooting percentage over 58 percent, showing scoring hasn’t been an issue for him as a rookie. Getting that calf healthy is a major concern. Harper’s game is predicated on explosion to the rim, as he’s not a great jump shooter yet.
The Spurs Continue to Add to Their Injury Report
Harper isn’t the only key member of the Spurs to be injured. As previously mentioned, they are already without Fox. He suffered a hamstring injury in the offseason, and his current timetable to return is still uncertain. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News shared that Fox felt close to returning a week ago, but still hasn’t.
Jeremy Sochan has yet to play this season due to a sprained wrist. It is also unclear when he is going to return to action, but he is another ball-handler they are missing. Despite these injuries, the Spurs have been one of the best teams in the NBA.
San Antonio is the second-best team in the Western Conference as of November 3. Victor Wembanyama has been able to keep them afloat, even with all of the injuries they have suffered. Wembanyama will now have an even larger load to carry with Harper out.
The Spurs will not rush Harper back, as he is viewed as one of the cornerstones of the future. Having him ready to go for the middle part of the season is their goal. Having the team healthy for the playoffs is the most important thing for them.