Young talent shines on a winning team. Rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant elevate the Spurs, balancing development with impactful contributions.
The San Antonio Spurs’ rookie class has played a key role in one of the league’s most impressive seasons. Rather than being asked to carry the franchise, this group has thrived within a winning environment—something that isn’t always the case for top draft picks.
And now we get to see how that translates to postseason play.
The Spurs are heavy favorites over Portland, and the centerpiece reason is Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old MVP candidate. And game by game by game, he'll be a driving force in a first-round playoff schedule that looks like this ...
Game 1: Portland at San Antonio on Sunday, April 19 (8 p.m., NBC)
Game 2: Portland at San Antonio on Tuesday, April 21 (7 p.m., NBC)
Game 3: San Antonio at Portland on Friday, April 24 (9:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Game 4: San Antonio at Portland on Sunday, April 26 (2:30 p.m., ESPN)
*Game 5: Portland at San Antonio on Tuesday, April 28 (time and network TBD)
*Game 6: San Antonio at Portland on Thursday, April 30 (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Portland at San Antonio on Saturday, May 2 (time and network TBD)
*if necessary
But it's not just all about Wemby.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, he gives a final grade for every NBA team's rookie class on how they performed this season. And for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, he gives them a very solid 'A-'.
Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall selection, didn’t step into a heavy, star-level workload right away. That had more to do with the Spurs’ success than any limitation in his game. On a team that won 60-plus games and finished near the top of the standings, Harper was able to develop at a measured pace while still making a clear impact.
When given opportunities, especially in his starts, Harper delivered. He averaged 15 points per game in his four starts, as well as averaging just under 12 on the season.
Much of Harper’s work came off the bench, where he embraced a scoring role and provided a spark for the second unit. That role suits his skill set well at this stage of his career. He can attack defenses, create offense, and shift momentum without the pressure of being the primary focal point. It’s a path that could set him up to become one of the league’s most impactful reserve players as he continues to grow.
Carter Bryant also emerged as an important piece, particularly as the season progressed. His role expanded in the second half, and he responded with increased confidence and production. Bryant’s ability to contribute across multiple categories—scoring, rebounding, facilitating, and rim protection—has added valuable versatility to the Spurs’ rotation.
Overall, this rookie class didn’t need to carry San Antonio—but it elevated the team in meaningful ways. On a roster already built to win, their contributions helped strengthen depth and maintain consistency throughout the season.
That balance between development and winning is exactly where the Spurs want to be, and this group fits seamlessly into that vision.