The San Antonio Spurs‘ No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper, underwent surgery, reports Shams Charania for ESPN. The procedure was meant to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb.
San Antonio Spurs No. 2 pick Dylan Harper underwent surgery Friday to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb that he suffered in a workout Wednesday, and the hope is Harper will be ready for the season opener Oct. 22 in Dallas, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 5, 2025
The hope is that the surgery will allow Harper to return in time for the season opener against the Mavericks. However, it will prevent the rookie point guard from participating in training camp, a crucial development step for any young player.
According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, Harper suffered the injury during an offseason workout in the Spurs’ practice facility on Wednesday. McDonald notes that, according to team sources, Harper is considered unlikely to play during San Antonio’s preseason.
The highly touted guard was expected to come off the bench behind De’Aaron Fox to start the season. If Harper is forced to miss regular-season time, the team will have to rely on its guard rotation of Jordan McLaughlin and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle to handle backup point guard duties.
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