Spurs’ Dylan Harper breaks Pelicans’ back with clutch bucket

On Monday night, the San Antonio Spurs found themselves in a closer-than-expected contest against an injury-ravaged New Orleans Pelicans team that was without Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole. But the Pelicans, thanks to a historic effort from Derik Queen (a 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist game that saw him become the first rookie this season to record a triple-double), kept it close until the very end — warranting a monster display in the clutch from another newcomer in point guard Dylan Harper.

De’Aaron Fox has been the star of the show with Victor Wembanyama out, but with the Pelicans containing Fox, the Spurs needed Harper to step up. And Harper answered the call with multiple clutch buckets in a 135-132 win — including the dagger that proved to be the difference. With 14.4 seconds left in the game, the Spurs rookie got the ball off the inbounds pass and took on Saddiq Bey off the dribble.

Harper then drove all the way to the cup, lowered his shoulder, and took off for a graceful layup with his off-hand — giving the Spurs a 133-132 lead that they would not relinquish.