It’s no secret that the San Antonio Spurs have been dominant throughout the postseason, knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on their way to the NBA Finals. With only the New York Knicks standing in their way, the Spurs entered the Finals with home-court advantage and as favorites to win the series. But after a disastrous Game 1 loss, the momentum has flipped.
MORE: 3 NBA teams that are one move away from being contenders
Advertisement
The Looming Issue
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) in the first half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images
Now trailing 1-0 and heading to New York for Game 2, the Spurs have a major decision to make. It’s the same issue that appeared in the Timberwolves series: the coaching staff refuses to play Dylan Harper over De’Aaron Fox.
Fox has been an important player for San Antonio, and he deserves credit for helping the Spurs reach this point. But the NBA playoffs are about adjustments, and right now Harper looks like the better option.
Harper has consistently provided scoring and energy off the bench, and he has looked comfortable in late-game situations, despite being a rookie. In the playoffs thus far, there have been stretches where the Spurs can’t buy a bucket, and Harper has felt like the only spark.
Advertisement
Why Harper Won’t Play Over Fox
May 10, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) works around Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the first quarter of game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
This isn’t to say Fox isn’t valuable. He plays a key role defensively and is a leader for the young team. But as stated before, the playoffs are about adjustments. If Harper is playing better, he should be on the floor. Continuing to prioritize Fox over Harper feels like a mistake, especially with the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the line.
The most likely reason Fox continues to play over Harper is his contract. In August, Fox signed a four-year, $229 million max extension with San Antonio. The deal drew some criticism at the time, with many questioning whether he had done enough to earn that kind of payday.
Advertisement
Whether that criticism was fair or not, the contract likely plays a role in the rotation. Harper is still on his rookie deal worth roughly $56 million over four years. The Spurs may feel obligated to lean on the player making that annually.
One Game Doesn’t Decide a Series
San Antonio has responded to adversity all postseason, but with the Knicks hosting game two, and the momentum of the series, the Spurs can’t afford to wait to make adjustments. If they want to have a chance, the coaching staff needs to make the decision they’ve avoided this playoffs.
—Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead—