Rookie San Antonio Spurs point guard Dylan Harper exited Sunday's surprise 130-118 loss to the lowly Phoenix Suns — its first defeat of the season — early with a troubling calf injury.
MORE: Spurs star suffers concerning injury, exits Suns game in walking boot
Now, he has received an unfortunate diagnosis.
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the No. 2 pick in this past summer's 2025 NBA Draft has incurred a left calf strain, and is expected to miss the next several weeks recovering.
Ominous news for Dylan Harper
Per Charania, imaging on Monday indicated that Harper had at least avoided more major damage to the calf, so that's an encouraging caveat to this news, at least.
Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News corroborates Charania's report, noting that Harper has not damaged any ligaments, and that San Antonio anticipates he'll be on the shelf for at least one week.
The 6-foot-5 pro has been well on his way to achieving an All-Rookie Team honor on a quality Western Conference team, although missing major time could throw a wrench in that plan.
In six games off the Spurs' bench, Harper has been averaging 14.0 points on.500/.357/.833 shooting splits, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 0.7 steals a night.
Following the Spurs' loss to the Suns and the Chicago Bulls' defeat to the New York Knicks on Sunday, only one undefeated club remains in the NBA: fittingly, it's the Oklahoma City Thunder. The reigning champions are riding high on a seven-game win streak.
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