Harper impresses in Spurs debut as Wembanyama connection clicks early

Rookie defender Dylan Harper made a beardown content successful his preseason debut for the San Antonio Spurs connected Friday, showing poise, confidence, and instant chemistry with superstar Victor Wembanyama during a 134-130 triumph implicit the Utah Jazz.

Late successful the archetypal half, Harper tossed an alley-oop that Wembanyama finished with a two-handed slam — though the walk was astir excessively debased for the 7-foot-4 forward. “I’m going to propulsion it a small higher,” Harper joked to Wembanyama afterward arsenic they shared a grin and a high-five.

Despite the insignificant miscue, Harper’s show was astir flawless. In conscionable implicit 12 minutes of first-half play, helium changeable 4-of-5 for 9 points, dished retired 2 assists, and led each players with a plus-minus of +22. The No. 2 wide prime added different assistance successful the 3rd 4th earlier exiting owed to a minutes restriction, finishing with 18 minutes and a +20 rating.

“It’s conscionable different measurement for him successful his young career,” said Spurs manager Mitch Johnson. “He made immoderate plays that helium should consciousness bully about. To bash it successful beforehand of fans, nether the lights, and grip squad defence — that’s invaluable experience.”

Building chemistry with Wembanyama

After missing the archetypal 2 preseason games pursuing thumb country successful September, Harper looked comfy orchestrating the offense. He logged his archetypal handbasket conscionable seconds aft entering the crippled — a speedy chopped to the rim disconnected a walk from Harrison Barnes — past bushed erstwhile Rutgers teammate Ace Bailey connected a thrust for different layup.

Wembanyama, who finished with 9 points and beardown antiaircraft presence, praised his caller teammate. “It’s bully to beryllium connected the tribunal with him,” helium said. “He looks ready, precise comfy already throwing these kinds of passes. I’m precise assured and blessed to play with him.”

Harper, inactive adjusting to playing with a teammate of Wembanyama’s size, admitted it takes immoderate recalibration. “Ain’t nary 1 ever played with idiosyncratic that tall,” helium said. “You deliberation you threw it excessively high, but past helium catches it. So adjacent time, I’ll propulsion it wherever lone helium tin get it.”