San Antonio Spurs fans have been waiting to see the Silver and Black put on a regular-season show at home for months. The Spurs did not disappoint in their home opener. Despite giving up a 26-point lead,
San Antonio fought back in the fourth quarter to secure a 118-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets, starting the season 3-0 for the first time since 2019.
They were led by the rookie Dylan Harper. The Rutgers product had 20 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 0 turnovers in the win.
The Nets came out of the gates pressuring the Spurs and forcing turnovers. San Antonio calmed down once Harper entered the game. He was able not only to withstand Brooklyn’s pressure but also to use it against them to get to the basket and score.
Harper’s finishing ability has been on display since he took the court in the summer league. It feels as if he can get both feet into the paint; he’s guaranteed to get a bucket.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson praised Harper’s defense after the game. He was excellent at the point of attack and was well-positioned off the ball. He ate fellow rookie Egor Demin’s lunch all game long in a dominant defensive display.
Once the Spurs lost the lead, it was Harper who injected life into the team with his crafty finishing in transition. He might have the best eurostep on the team already, and that Rajon Rondo fake is a veteran-level move. Finishing plays like this against NBA competition at 19 years old is not normal.
Victor Wembanyama and Harper combined for 51 of the Spurs’ 118 points. This could be the first of many games in which those two players account for a bulk of San Antonio’s scoring. It wasn’t one of those “jaw-dropping” nights from Wemby, and yet he had 31 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
Petition to start calling these plays “abductions.” Wemby (an alien) takes away a shot (in this case, TWO of them) at the rim, then dribbles down and nails a three on the other. He’s taking the ball away and taking away any momentum the other team had with an absolutely devastating play.
Wembanyama is staking his claim to the Defensive Player of the Year crown early this season. Somehow, his blocks are getting more eye-popping. He comes out of seemingly nowhere to block shots off the glass. I really don’t know how you get a layup off against him.
Remember in Wembanyama’s rookie season when it seemed impossible to get him the ball inside? Those days are long gone. San Antonio is doing a great job finding the big man inside for easy slams.
Devin Vassell sealed the victory for the Spurs late in the game with a steal and slam. Vassell finished the game with 16 points and a steal. He’s stepped up defensively so far this season, and it’s been a big part of the team’s 3-0 start.
To see the game’s full highlights, check out the video below:
