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San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper showcased his competitive spirit in a thrilling match against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Spurs emerged victorious with a 135-132 win at the Smoothie King Center. Harper, who was the second pick in the 2025 NBA draft, scored crucial points with just 9.1 seconds left in the game. Coming off the bench, he contributed 22 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Harper admitted to feeling uncertain at the start of the season but credited his growth to experiences before joining the Spurs. "At the beginning of the year I was a little iffy, a little hesitant, like, 'Yeah, I'm the new guy. I'm trying to figure it out,'" said Harper. He highlighted how encouragement from teammates and coaches helped him gain confidence.
Derik Queen of the Pelicans delivered an impressive performance despite their loss. He achieved a remarkable triple-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks. Queen made history as the first rookie since blocks were tracked in 1973-74 to record such stats in a game.
Reflecting on their draft class's competitive nature, Harper shared insights into their upbringing. "I think all of us [in the 2025 draft class] played up growing up," he noted. Whether it was open gym or camps, they thrived on competition. Even outside public view, they engaged in intense games with older players.
Queen expressed admiration for Harper's performance despite being on opposing sides. "I'm happy for him," Queen stated about Harper. Their rivalry dates back to college and even middle school days. Queen looks forward to more encounters with Harper on the court.
The 2025 draft class has been compared to previous ones for its potential strength and competitiveness. Queen mentioned seeing discussions online about future classes possibly surpassing theirs in talent and skill level.
Harper moving smooth @FanDuelSN_SW pic.twitter.com/gZgNR5HrIx
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 9, 2025
Queen's achievement places him among notable rookies like Stephen Curry (2010), Blake Griffin (2011), Luka Doncic (2019), and Austin Reaves (2022). These players also recorded significant triple-doubles early in their careers.
The match between Harper and Queen highlighted not only individual talents but also underscored the depth of skill within their draft class. Both players demonstrated why they are considered promising stars in their rookie year.
