Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper Make NBA History in Spurs' Game 3 Win

The San Antonio Spurs claimed victory in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, securing a 120-108 final score at the Moda Center on Friday night.

The Spurs accomplished this crucial victory without their NBA MVP candidate: Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama was questionable to take the court on Friday night as he continued to progress through the NBA’s concussion protocol, recovering from a head injury he suffered during the Spurs’ Game 2 loss on Tuesday night. Ultimately, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman was unable to play.

Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and 2025 No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper stepped up in a big way with Wembanyama out.

Castle finished the game with 33 points and five assists, shooting 10/18 from the field and 3/4 from behind the 3-point arc. Harper recorded 27 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9/12 from the field and 4/5 from behind the 3-point arc.

With these numbers, Castle and Harper become the second duo under 21 years old to score more than 25 points apiece in the same NBA playoff game - joining Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Harper accomplished this incredible stat line off the Spurs’ bench. After the game, the 20-year-old guard said he spoke with NBA sixth man legend Manu Ginobili, who now serves as a special advisor for the team.

“I play a role I’m not used to [off the bench], but he kind of put in my head that you’ve got to impact the game in any way you can,” Harper said, via ESPN.

Castle lauded Harper for stepping up as his partner in the Spurs’ backcourt.

“Super talented, played a downhill game,” Castle said. “The guy got to his spots. We don’t expect [anything] less [because of] how much work he puts in, how confident he is. Once you play a team a certain amount of times, you start to figure each other out and you just have to grind those games out. Every possession matters.”

Game 4 will tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 9:54 AM.