What we know about Dylan Harper regarding calf injury

After a calf injury that forced second overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft to leave the game against the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs Head coach Mitch Johnson said he had no further information on the matter Dylan Harper. Given the former Rutgers star’s very good start, it’s an injury that is registering across the NBA.

After Harper exited in the second quarterthe team announced that he will not return due to a left calf injury. In the second half, Harper was seen on the team bench wearing a cleat. The Spurs broadcast crew eventually reported that Harper had left the game with just that endorsement.

After losing 130-118, who served Spurs first in the seasonJohnson did not provide further information.

“I don’t, I don’t. I believe it has something to do with his calf, but for now I don’t have anything,” replied the Spurs first man.

When Harper left the game in Phoenix, he was well on his way to overachieving He averaged 14.4 points per game heading off into the night. His 12 led the Spurs at halftime in a contest they trailed virtually the entire way.

What Dylan Harper’s injury reveals about Spurs’ plans

Harper now joins De’Aaron Fox, Luke Cornett, Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk and Linda Waters III as the Spurs dealing with injuries. Unlike Harper, the other five appear to be returning. Asked if Harper’s status will affect when either of them return, Johnson didn’t hesitate.

“No.”

“The status of one person will not affect the status of anyone else,” the 38-year-old coach added.

It’s a comment that seems especially relevant given that Fox plays the same position as Harper. But as uncertain as he was about his 19-year-old point guard, Johnson was more than confident about the effect it would have — or in this case — not have on the Spurs’ returning lineup.

“I think we’re optimistic. There’s two more days,” Johnson continued after the loss that dropped San Antonio to 5-1. “That’s the funny part of the schedule. So you have almost 72 hours and everyone is trending in the right way.”

The Silver and Black enjoyed two days off after their franchise-record fifth win to start the season and had two more days off between the loss to the Suns and the contest at the Los Angeles Lakers. Two days later, they will host the Houston Rockets, who will begin a back-to-back with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Will we see any combination of Fox, Cornett, Sochan, Olynyk and Waters during that part remains a mystery. Maybe even Johnson.

“The guys have been getting closer and closer, so we’ll have to see how it breaks down over the next few days.”