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Spurs backcourt of the future arrives early in Game 1 upset
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Spurs backcourt of the future arrives early in Game 1 upset

By Sean Keane  |  Last updated May 19, 2026 8:57 AM ET
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Facing the defending champions and the two-time MVP with their starting point guard out, second-year guard Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper had a big challenge in Monday's Game 1. They were ready for it.

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Castle at No. 4 in 2024 and Harper at No. 2 in 2025, with an eye to the pair growing around franchise center Victor Wembanyama. They grew up fast, combining for 41 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists in the Spurs' 122-115 Game 1 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have arrived early

One reason the Spurs traded for All-Star guard De'Aaron Fox last season was to provide a second star for Wemby and veteran support for the young Spurs. Fox missed Game 1 with a sprained ankle, which forced the Spurs to throw the 20-year-old Harper into the starting lineup.

Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, played very tough, finishing with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals. That's a stat line only two players have ever recorded in a conference finals game since the NBA began tracking steals in 1973 — Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Julius Erving.

Harper showed no fear, driving for a three-point play in the second OT.

Stephon Castle overcame a nightmare turnover game

It's hard to look at Castle's 11 turnovers and feel good about his game, but he had 11 assists to go with it. Some of the turnovers were due to the Thunder's ball-hawking defense going after Castle all game, as he took on primary ball handling responsibilities with Fox out. Still, the Spurs' best offense late came when Castle was driving to the basket, throwing lobs to Wembanyama or dunking himself.

Another Spurs rookie, Carter Bryant, had only three points, two rebounds and an assist, but logged a plus/minus of +10 in 14 minutes.

Fox's ankle could keep him out of more conference finals games, but with the young Spurs stepping up, they're surprisingly ready to survive his absence.

Sean Keane
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Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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