Dylan Harper reveals one clear mindset behind Spurs’ game 1 upset over Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Antonio Spurs officially seized homecourt advantage against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Dylan Harper playing a major role in the result. Even as a rookie, he delivered a standout performance in the 122-115 double-overtime win over the Thunder in the Game 1 opener of the Western Conference finals.
After the game, Harper explained that his focus was simply on winning and not on the historic significance of the dramatic Game 1 battle.
“I’m just trying to win, that’s the biggest thing on my mind,” Harper said. “We all went in there with the mindset of if it takes two overtimes, let’s double down and win.”
“I’m just trying to win, that’s the biggest thing on my mind.”
Dylan Harper talks about how his main focus was on securing the victory and not realizing the historic nature of tonight’s epic Game 1. pic.twitter.com/fGusAGLvSu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 19, 2026
With this performance, Harper made NBA history by becoming the first rookie ever to post 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 6+ assists, and 7+ steals in a playoff game. He also became just the second rookie to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a playoff outing, joining Magic Johnson.
Harper also joined elite Spurs company, alongside Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, Avery Johnson, and Alvin Robertson, as the only players in franchise playoff history to record six steals in a game, according to Stathead. He also became just the third player since the 1973-74 season to record 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in a conference finals game, joining Larry Bird and Julius Erving.
Harper gave credit to his teammates for helping him reach the franchise-record seven steals.
“My 7 steals was kind of a team thing. It was more just rotations and for me being in the right spots and letting my instincts take over.”
Alongside Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, Harper helped form the first trio in NBA history where all three teammates aged 22 or younger recorded double-doubles in a single playoff game.
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