Down 15 in the third and without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs needed some inspiration. In a team that has accomplished stars like De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, it was a rookie who went nuclear to flip the script. Dylan Harper started a 45-15 run with a three, and never looked back. Picked right behind Cooper Flagg, Harper showed he’s just as complete a player, sitting with the greats after his spotless performance.

The Spurs guard, son of former Bulls legend Ron Harper, has made handy contributions off the bench throughout the season. But with Wemby out and the Spurs begging for a spark, he stepped up. Dylan Harper scored 22 second-half points from the very moment San Antonio trailed by 15.

The 20-year-old became the second youngest player to score 20+ points off the bench in a playoff game, only trailing Kobe Bryant. Additionally, his stellar performance also saw him join six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only rookie to score 27 points on 80% shooting (his last miss took the percentage down).

But these landmarks followed what was a star rookie taking initiative when the Spurs seemed lost. The Spurs may also have Scoot Henderson to thank. The Trail Blazers guard got a technical foul for taunting Dylan Harper after a make. That was when the storm started brewing. Harper got his revenge with a thunderous dunk in the fourth quarter to cap off a personal 10-point run that deflated Portland.

Dylan Harper also finished the game with the highest point differential of any player on the floor, with a +25 in just 30 minutes of action. And for the larger part, he was directly responsible for staging an improbable comeback that restored the Spurs’ home court advantage.

Astonishingly enough, he was just one of the young bulls who elevated themselves for the Spurs.

The Spurs’ young core works its magic

The Spurs started Game 3 on the back foot. Victor Wembanyama, the most prolific shot blocker in the NBA, was in street clothes due to a concussion suffered in Game 2. De’Aaron Fox couldn’t compensate for his absence, scoring 18 points on 7/16 shooting. But San Antonio’s history of finding young treasure troves paved the way for their emphatic Game 3 win.

Dylan Harper was one of the rookies who made a significant impact on the box score. But Carter Bryant was just as important, bringing the defensive intensity to turn the game around. He recorded three blocks, more than backup center Luke Kornet. He prides himself as one of the best defenders. Tonight, he proved a point with a dynamic performance that saw the Spurs outscore the Blazers by 17 with him on the floor.

And it would be unfair to ignore sophomore guard Stephon Castle. The rising star was responsible for keeping the Spurs in the game. He scored almost a third of the Spurs’ first 58 points in the first half. The former Rookie of the Year scored a game-high 33 points with 5 assists, shooting 55.6% from the field.

The Spurs’ trio of young pillars inspired a team effort that successfully curbed the Trail Blazers’ offense in the second half. San Antonio held the Blazers to 37.2% shooting in the second half, limiting them to just four made threes. In contrast, the Spurs piled on 61 points, making half of their field goal attempts.

With a 2-1 series lead, the Spurs could have Victor Wembanyama back in Game 4. That would solidify their stronghold on this series, as this young group, despite a lack of experience, continues to showcase their readiness for the biggest moments. Dylan Harper and their young core are special. The Spurs could genuinely be a top team for many years to come if they keep the band together.