De’Aaron Fox sat out his second consecutive game in the Western Conference finals on 20 May, but the Spurs still managed to come away from Oklahoma City with the series level at 1-1.
Fox’s absence isn’t just a footnote on the injury report anymore; it’s starting to shape how San Antonio lines up in the backcourt, putting more responsibility on Dylan Harper’s shoulders.
During the regular season, Fox put up 18.6 points per game and was one of the few Spurs who could break down a defence before Victor Wembanyama even touched the ball. Without him, every half-court set demands more from San Antonio’s young guards.
Harper has already shown what he can do
There’s no sense of panic within the San Antonio camp, and a big reason for that is how well Harper played in Game 1. He put up 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a team playoff record seven steals. Head coach Mitch Johnson spoke about his performance as more than just a one-off. Harper, who had spent the season accepting a limited role, stepped up when the team needed him to adapt.
That matters because San Antonio does not need Harper to mimic Fox’s style. It needs him to carry enough initiation that the Spurs can keep Castle and Wembanyama in the kinds of actions they want, instead of asking every possession to start with a bailout.
It wasn’t just about the numbers either. He protected the ball well and disrupted passing lanes, giving San Antonio enough organisation to handle one night without Fox.
How Fox’s injury is reshaping the Spurs’ offence
When Fox is in the lineup, San Antonio can build an advantage early in possessions. His burst into the paint forces defences to react even before the second action unfolds.
In his absence, they need Harper to take on more of a facilitator role, while Castle is expected to handle more on-ball responsibilities than you’d typically want from a young guard during the playoffs.
San Antonio has called Fox’s ankle issue a day-to-day situation since the series began, and Johnson said after Game 2 that their approach wouldn’t be changing. In short, there’s no clear plan for when Fox might return.
Johnson also stressed that Fox wouldn’t be playing through this injury if it were still the regular season. That detail matters—every decision now requires backup plans in case he remains out.
Harper’s exit in Game 2 leaves the Spurs’ backcourt with even more questions
Before leaving the game, Harper put up 12 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes, but his night ended early due to a right hamstring injury.
The focus now shifts to Game 3. It is not just Fox’s ankle the Spurs are monitoring; they are also waiting on results from Harper’s MRI, trying to gauge how much guard depth they will have available.
Stephon Castle was forced into a larger role in Game 2, posting eight assists but also nine turnovers. It highlights San Antonio’s current situation: their young guards can create enough to get by, but Oklahoma City’s defence makes every mistake feel costly.
Why Game 3 Matters So Much for Harper
Surviving on the road is one thing, but holding steady at home requires a different level of control.
If Fox remains out and Harper isn’t fully fit, San Antonio’s offensive options become even more limited. With two games already played without Fox, Oklahoma City will have plenty of film to review. The Thunder can now apply more pressure earlier in possessions, forcing the young Spurs guards to show they can keep the offence moving.
Harper has already shown he can handle a scoring explosion. The next step is sustaining the decision-making part of the role when the defence is no longer surprised by him.
For Game 3 on May 22, that means cleaner entries to Wembanyama, faster second-side decisions and fewer possessions where Castle or Harper is left to dribble through pressure without an outlet.
San Antonio can manage the short-term Fox absence if the backcourt delivers
Wembanyama is capable of handling a heavy load, but the Spurs do not want every play to run through him. Fox’s absence removes the guard who typically prevents that scenario. That is why Harper’s development has become so important in this series.
Johnson indicated that Fox’s status might remain uncertain throughout the series. Until there is more clarity, San Antonio’s backcourt will be measured not by who is unavailable, but by whether Harper and Castle can maintain the offence without it becoming too dependent on Wembanyama.
The Spurs managed to win one game without Fox and split the opening two on the road. Now, as the series shifts to San Antonio, it falls on their young guards to keep things steady at home.
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