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8 hours ago
- Sport
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Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton teammate who carried him off the floor sounds off on injury
The post Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton teammate who carried him off the floor sounds off on injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. After Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles injury early into Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the team ultimately lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but arguably the biggest headline was around the status of the point guard. As the sports world has been reacting to the injury of the Pacers' point guard, there would be more insight from a key teammate on the team. Advertisement In the aftermath of Haliburton straining his calf in Game 5, playing through it in Game 6, he would suffer from a non-contact injury in the first quarter of Game 7 where when play stopped with just under five minutes left, everybody knew it was bad. One player who carried him off the court was James Johnson, who doesn't log a lot of minutes but is seen as the veteran leader in Indiana, as he said how 'heartbreaking' it was, according to The Athletic. 'That was heartbreaking,' he said. 'I know how hard he works, how bad he wanted it, and I know the hours he puts in, day in and day out. … Just to even be here was an honor, to sit courtside and help cheer on these guys was an honor, man. There's a group character that's hard to find. KP (Pritchard) and (Pacers general manager) Chad (Buchanan) did a great job of putting this group together, and getting high-character guys.' Pacers 'hearts dropped' when seeing Tyrese Haliburton's injury Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images. With the painful ending to the Pacers' season in many facets, Haliburton will no doubt be hungry, along with the rest of the team, to head into the offseason determined to get back to the NBA Finals. Still, it's valid to digest the situation on Sunday night as sad, an event that made Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle's heart drop, as he said. Advertisement 'What happened with Tyrese is, all of our hearts dropped,' Carlisle said. 'He authored one of the great individual playoff runs in the history of the NBA, with dramatic play after dramatic play. It was just something that no one's ever seen. And did it as one of 17 (players). That's the beautiful thing about him.' There's no doubt that the Pacers were one of, if not the most exciting, team in the postseason this year, getting huge series wins over the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks to get to the NBA Finals. Even pushing the series to seven games against Oklahoma City showed the fortitude they had as Myles Turner would he will miss the 'process.' 'It was special,' Turner said. 'Just everything we've been through to get to this point, everything that went into it … a journey at that. We talk about the process a lot, not necessarily the end goal, but the process. I'm going to miss the process of this group.' At any rate, Indiana looks to improve after finishing 50-32, which put them fourth in the Eastern Conference. Related: Shams confirms Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear in NBA Finals Game 7 Related: Pacers rumors: Will Indiana still be willing to pay luxury tax after Tyrese Haliburton injury?
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8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The unique way Dylan Harper can meet high expectations with Spurs
The post The unique way Dylan Harper can meet high expectations with Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the second overall selection of the NBA Draft, Dylan Harper joins a San Antonio Spurs team that boasts the last two Rookie of the Year winners. Advertisement The pressure is on, yes, it is, but not in the way you might think. For several reasons, the odds are against Harper netting the Spurs another ROY winner. What would determine whether Harper meets high expectations is what the Silver and Black do in his first year. It'll be tough for Dylan Harper to win Rookie of the Year No NBA team has ever featured three consecutive ROY winners. Last season, the Spurs became the third team in league history to draft and keep back-to-back Rookies of the Year when Stephon Castle captured the trophy off the heels of Victor Wembanyama's historic campaign. They matched Minnesota Timberwolves rookies Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns in 2014-2015 and Buffalo Braves teammates Bob McAdoo and Ernie DiGregorio in 1972-73. A Harper Rookie of the Year win would prove unprecedented. Advertisement Regarding the ROY race, though, more important is the presence of Cooper Flagg. If Harper was the second-best prospect in this draft – and he was – then Flagg was the top prospect in the field. He's the odds-on favorite to win the award. Specifically, Flagg will be aided by the reality that he'll have a chance to put up big numbers. Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving will miss much, if not most, of next season, and Anthony Davis is injury-prone, so the former Duke Blue Devil is going to have the ball in his hands plenty. Conversely, Harper joins a team that features veteran ball-handler De'Aaron Fox, a generational superstar in Wembanyama, and the reigning Rookie of the Year in Castle. © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Dylan Harper's true measure of meeting Spurs expectations Because Harper joins two players who've made All-Star games – Wemanayama this past season, Fox in 2023 – and the most recent ROY, the Spurs fully expect to contend for a postseason spot. They were in contention last year until Wemby went out with an injury. After winning 22 games the season before, San Antonio improved by 12 wins, despite missing not only Wemabanyana since February, but Fox as well for the final month. Advertisement The Spurs spent the weeks prior to the draft somewhat engaged in talks to acquire future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant. Reports indicate the Phoenix Suns wanted either the second overall pick or Castle in a trade for KD. From the start of any negotiations, the Spurs made both off-limits. Stands to reason for Castle because of what he just did in his first taste of the NBA. That Harper was untouchable tells you what GM Brian Wright and company think of the former Rutgers Scarlett Knight. If Harper plays a big role in helping the Spurs improve by another 12 wins or so and into the playoffs, he'd put the franchise ahead of schedule. If Durant was supposed to mean 'win now,' the 19-year-old from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was supposed to represent the future. If Harper checks both boxes, he would've accomplished far more than any personal hardware. Related: Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant Related: Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
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8 hours ago
- Entertainment
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Dylan Harper's mom goes viral at 2025 NBA Draft after Spurs selection
The post Dylan Harper's mom goes viral at 2025 NBA Draft after Spurs selection appeared first on ClutchPoints. New San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper had a night to remember at the 2025 NBA Draft, but it was his mom, Maria Harper, who unexpectedly became the star of the show. As the 19-year-old shooting guard made his way across the stage after being picked second overall by the San Antonio Spurs, the cameras zoomed in on his family—and social media exploded with excitement. Advertisement Fans took to platforms like X to express their admiration for Maria's grace and elegance during her son's big moment. The reactions were a wonderful blend of awe and appreciation, with many people declaring her the true star of the evening. Her appearance alongside Dylan and his brother, Ron Jr., during a live interview with ESPN's Monica McNutt only fueled the viral excitement. But beyond the fleeting fame, Maria Harper has been a cornerstone in Dylan's basketball journey. A former Division I player at the University of New Orleans, she shifted gears to coaching nearly thirty years ago. Maria wasn't just a coach; she was a constant source of support for Dylan, guiding him from first grade all the way through his senior year in high school. Advertisement Their strong connection was clear when she talked about his 'determination, hard work, and humility' during the ESPN interview. Dylan, who shone at Rutgers and followed in the footsteps of his father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, has made it clear in past interviews that his mom was his first and most significant coach. Interestingly, Ron Harper Sr. remained seated in the crowd while Maria took the spotlight with Dylan during the broadcast. This choice highlighted the family dynamic, with Dylan crediting his mom for pushing him to excel and keeping him grounded. Maria supported Dylan's development as a student-athlete and as a person in her role as a former athlete, coach, and mentor. Advertisement Now that Dylan is beginning a new journey with the NBA, he will always remember his draft night—not only because he was drafted by the Spurs, but because this was a truly special moment demonstrating the power of a parent's support. Related: Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant Related: Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
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Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant
The post Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant appeared first on ClutchPoints. After an NBA Draft Lottery night that went the best the San Antonio Spurs could've realistically expected as they beat odds to climb all the way to number two, NBA Draft Night proved the best they could've realistically expected because of Carter Bryant. Advertisement The Silver and Black knew they were taking Dylan Harper with the second overall pick because there was no doubt Cooper Flagg was going to the Dallas Mavericks. Their second selection of the first round, at 14 overall, was the mystery. In need of a big man who could help and complement Victor Wembanyama, Khaman Maluach proved a tantalizing want. But the chances that he'd still be there for the last pick of the lottery represented, at best, a dream scenario. Of the players who could be there at 14, Bryant stood out. Yet, like Maluach, the chance that he'd still be around seemed slim. Many mock drafts had him at 10 or 11. And yet, he fell to 14 and right into the lap of a Spurs team that could use every one of his emerging talents and abilities. Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images The Carter Bryant player profile What is Carter Bryant's game? At the risk of exaggeration, think of the modern NBA. Now think of the type of player who typically stands out in today's game. That's Carter Bryant. Advertisement Extremely athletic, the former Arizona Wildcat stands 6-foot-8 with a wingspan that reaches seven feet. He can run. He can jump. He's a defensive menace. Offensively, he can move without the ball. He can shoot. He put it up at 37% from 3-point range and 46% from the field in college. And he can leap. Often, he finds creases and makes his way to the basket for easy buckets, often dunks. Perhaps, most importantly, he's just 19 years old and came off the bench as a freshman. A projected 3-and-D wing, he has plenty of room to grow. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images How Carter Bryant fits with the Spurs Leading up to the draft, analysts wondered how Harper would fit with the Spurs given that they already had guard De'Aaron Fox and reigning Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, on the roster. No need to wonder how Bryant fits: The Spurs don't have anyone on the roster like him. Advertisement Devin Vassell's focus is on offense. While athletic, Jeremy Sochan is still finding his stroke. In different ways, Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson find ways to score, but neither is a defensive dynamo nor possesses physical traits that jump off the page in the NBA. Blake Wesley isn't a big point guard, while Malaki Branham fell out of the rotation this past season. The lack of another big may be San Antonio's biggest weakness. Their lack of athleticism, mainly for defensive purposes, on the wing is an area that comes in a close second. Bryant begins the path to repairing that. In the meantime, Wemby's presence as a defensive anchor isn't a bad consolation as the Silver and Black will look to free agency or possibly a trade to fill that need. Add that Bryant can shoot, and he helps to plug another gap for a team that struggled from behind the arc. All in all, he fits. And the Spurs fit the tag of the team that drafts well annually. Related: Dylan Harper's mom goes viral at 2025 NBA Draft after Spurs selection Related: Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
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8 hours ago
- Sport
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Carter Bryant reveals unpopular legend he modeled his game after
The post Carter Bryant reveals unpopular legend he modeled his game after appeared first on ClutchPoints. Most San Antonio Spurs fans were ecstatic when the team picked Carter Bryant with the 14th overall pick of the NBA Draft. Perhaps it's a bit ironic then that the potential steal of the first round invoked Kawhi Leonard when asked which former Spurs his game might most compare to. Advertisement Leonard is undoubtedly the most unpopular former Spur among the proud franchise's fan base. Because it's now been seven years since the six-time All-Star asked out of San Antonio – a summer in which Bryant would've been 12 years old – he may not be aware of the bad blood that still exists. 'Immediately, the first guy I think of is Kawhi,' the former Arizona Wildcat answered. 'Just his defensive versatility, being able to guard multiple positions early on in his career. And, just, as you saw his progression.' It's obvious Bryant has tracked Leonard's career since the current Los Angeles Clipper won the 2014 NBA Finals MVP in leading San Antonio to their fifth championship. Advertisement 'He became one of the best players in the world, arguably a top-three player to be playing basketball at a time where Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and LeBron [James] were pretty much solidified to be the top three. But he was really making a statement that he was one of the best players in the world as well.' Carter Bryant talks fit with the Spurs While Bryant mentioned Leonard, it's his fellow Spurs first round draft pick who'll wear 'The Klaw's' old number. 'Dylan [Harper], for sure, is gonna have two if nobody has two,' Bryant said of the second overall pick. 'I don't know. I gotta look at who has what numbers on the team,' he continued about which jersey number he'll wear. 'That's a great question.' Advertisement Bryant then mentioned Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, who's made an All-Star game, and generational superstar Victor Wembanyama in scrolling through what number he'd settle on. 'I know Steph's got five. That's my dog. I'm not getting that off of him. Does D. Fox wear four? Yep, I can't get four, Fox is four. Four plus five for nine,' Bryant continued with a reference that he can't have nine because it's Tony Parker's retired number. 'Wemby's got the one. I'm gonna have to figure something out. It's all good.' Reports have since indicated Bryant will wear the number 11. In any event, there's little debate that he could have an early impact for a team that's looking to turn the corner and make the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Top analysts see Bryant as a player who can effectively fit the good '3 and D' model so many teams covet. Advertisement 'I see myself being a guy that can bring energy, toughness, physicality. Somebody that's just gonna show up on a consistent basis and just work his a** off. I feel like that's what I bring in.' The Spurs were pleasantly surprised that Bryant was there at 14. Expectations now shift. Don't be surprised if the 19-year-old wing gets some meaningful minutes for a young Spurs team that continues to improve on paper, Related: Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA Draft Related: Spurs' Dylan Harper shares eye-opening Giannis Antetokounmpo workout story
