New Dylan Harper, De'Aaron Fox Rumors Reveal Injury Statuses for Spurs vs. Thunder Game 3

After leaving Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in the third quarter due to an injury, San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper's status for Friday's game will be determined shortly before tipoff.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, Harper is a game-time decision and will go through his pregame routine to determine his status after an MRI revealed an adductor injury.

The Spurs are also waiting to see about De'Aaron Fox, who has missed the first two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sprained right ankle.

Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show that Fox will also be listed as a game-time decision, adding he has "been making improvements" in his recovery.

Harper was removed from Wednesday's 122-113 loss to Oklahoma City midway through the third quarter after grabbing at his right leg following a drive to the basket.

The Spurs medical staff went with Harper to the locker room for an examination. He briefly came out of the tunnel and was walking toward the Spurs' bench before returning to the locker room.

It was initially believed that Harper injured his hamstring, so the MRI revealing an adductor issue is good news in this context.

For instance, typical recovery time from a hamstring injury can take anywhere from three to eight weeks depending on the severity. Adductor injuries usually have a recovery time just over two weeks.

The bad news is time isn't on the Spurs' side because the postseason schedule for the conference finals goes every other day.

Fox's absence pushed Harper into a more prominent role for the first two games against the Thunder. The 20-year-old didn't look intimidated by the stage with 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and six assists in San Antonio's Game 1 win.

Prior to the injury in Game 2, Harper was playing well again with 12 points and three assists in 25 minutes. His plus-six mark in the game was the second-best on the Spurs, behind only Victor Wembanyama at plus-11.

If Harper and Fox are unable to play, the Spurs would seem likely to use Keldon Johnson in the starting lineup. Johnson, the 2025-26 Sixth Man of the Year winner, hasn't started a game since April 7, 2024.

Game 3 between the Thunder and Spurs at Frost Bank Center will be played on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.