’He Was Upset With Playing Time’ — Devin Vassell Surprisingly Reveals Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Was Frustrated With Role

Apr 2, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome. © William Liang-Imagn ImagesDylan Harper was considered one of the standout rookies in the NBA for his promising performances throughout the season.However, there were several moments when San Antonio Spurs fans felt he deserved more playing time.

But those opportunities didn’t come consistently, much to Harper’s and the supporters’ frustration.What Devin Vassell Said About Dylan Harper’s Frustration Following Game 5In what was an offensively subpar night for the San Antonio roster, Harper came off the bench and dropped 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting against the New York Knicks.Meanwhile, starter De’Aaron Fox struggled heavily, finishing with just 7 points on 3-of-15 shooting across 37 minutes.

After the Spurs’ Game 5 loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday, Devin Vassell detailed Harper’s feelings over limited minutes and an inconsistent role.SEE ALSO:‘It Surprised Me’ — Spurs Superstar Victor Wembanyama Reveals the Biggest Takeaway From His First NBA Finals“He was upset with playing time and the different roles he was in,” Vassell said. “But when we needed him most, he stepped up.

We have a star in the making.I know that he’s gonna put so much work into the offseason.”“It’s not just offensively, but defensively, he’s made a lot of plays.

He’s grown so much. And was he 20, 21 years old? I mean, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Throughout the Finals, the debate over Harper’s role intensified as he consistently produced strong performances despite limited opportunities.The flags surrounding his usage grew beyond NBA circles, as Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons said the Spurs’ hesitation to fully empower the No. 2 pick may have ultimately cost them a championship run.

Meanwhile, outspoken Knicks supporter Dave Portnoy also heavily criticized the Spurs’ decision-making after Game 5, calling the cont