San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson plans on starting Dylan Harper when the team's regular season tips off Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Johnson told reporters Friday, according to ESPN's Michael C. Wright.
Harper primarily came off the bench during his rookie campaign before blossoming in the playoffs, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 boards, and 2.7 assists during last season's Finals run.
The 2025 No. 2 overall pick joined De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in the starting backcourt for the Spurs' preseason win Wednesday over the Phoenix Suns.
The three-guard lineup posted a plus-10 rating in 11 minutes during their starting debut.
"When it clicked, it clicked," Wembanyama said. "The biggest thing is I've got handlers all around me, guys we want to put the ball in their hands and pick and roll around me."
Harper, Fox, and Castle posted a minus-26.9 net rating in the 25 minutes they shared on the floor last season. However, Fox isn't putting too much stock in that limited sample.
The trio stood out in Friday's preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings, combining for 19 points to fuel the Spurs' 42-18 opening frame.
Harper also scored 14 straight points in the third quarter while playing alongside Fox and Castle.
14 straight points for Dylan! 📺 @DAZN https://t.co/eNR2V7Nj8T
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 17, 2026
"We have a talented group, especially in the backcourt," Fox said. "When we're making shots, it allows other guys to be able to get downhill. We can spread the defense out, and teams know what we want to do.
"There's no secret about it. So, a lot of our season, a lot of how special that first group can be, it's going to be predicated on how we shoot the ball."
