The San Antonio Spurs are facing a pivotal decision in the NBA Finals: whether to start rookie Dylan Harper over All-Star De'Aaron Fox. Despite Fox’s status as a seasoned player and previous success, Harper demonstrated superior performance in Game 1 against the Knicks, where his abilities as a rim attacker and defender shone through, especially given the team’s need for effective scoring and defense against Jalen Brunson. With the Spurs trailing 1-0 in the best-of-series, the question arises on whether sticking with Fox is the right move when the stakes are so high.

By the Numbers
  • Dylan Harper averaged 67.4% shooting in the restricted area during the playoffs.
  • De'Aaron Fox attempted only 2.6 shots in the restricted area per game since returning from injury.
State of Play
  • The Spurs lost Game 1 of the Finals, diminishing their home-court advantage.
  • Harper contributed 10 points in the paint, but the Spurs only scored 42 in Game 1, below their playoffaverage.
What's Next

If the Spurs continue to see underwhelming performances from Fox, a shift to Harper in the starting lineup may be imminent. The coaching staff will need to evaluate how to best utilize their top players effectively in the remaining Finals games to avoid elimination.

Bottom Line

To maximize their chances of winning, the Spurs must consider starting Dylan Harper over De'Aaron Fox, as the current version of Fox is not performing at a championship level. In the high-pressure environment of the NBA Finals, it's crucial to play your best talent to secure victories.