Is Dylan Harper Starting Tonight Over De’Aaron Fox in NBA Finals Game 2?

Following a rough NBA Finals series opener from Spurs PG De’Aaron Fox in Game 1’s 105-95 loss vs. the Knicks, drama has ramped up surrounding San Antonio’s starting lineup. Rookie Spurs G Dylan Harper continues to impress, leading to a burning question for many basketball fans.

Will Dylan Harper start over De’Aaron Fox in the NBA Finals vs. the Knicks? The eye test suggests it’s reasonable, but is that enough for Harper to start tonight in NBA Finals Game 2, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC?

Below, we’ll answer if Harper will start tonight vs. the Knicks, why Dylan Harper should start over De’Aaron Fox in the NBA Finals, and break down Dylan Harper stats and a pick for NBA Finals Game 2 on PrizePicks.

Make your Knicks vs. Spurs picks on PrizePicks for NBA Finals Game 2.

{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Will Dylan Harper Start Tonight vs. Knicks?

As of this writing, there are no plans for Spurs G Dylan Harper to start in NBA Finals Game 2 vs. the Knicks. However, that has not stopped chatter among fans.

San Antonio PG De’Aaron Fox struggled in Game 1 with 7 points while shooting 3-of-13 (23.1%) and 0-of-4 on 3-pointers. Further, Fox logged only 5 assists and 3 turnovers, compared to 5.9 assists and 1.9 turnovers per contest across the 2026 postseason.

Meanwhile, Harper entered the first quarter off the bench and made an immediate impact with 10 points while going 3-of-3 from the field. The rookie finished with 16 points, shooting 6-of-10 (60.0%). 

After surrendering a double-digit second-half lead in a 10-point loss at home, there’s some panic surrounding the Spurs faithful. While Fox still seems in line to start, should San Antonio look to tweak the starting lineup?

New to PrizePicks? You get $50 instantly in Lineups when you sign up with PrizePicks promo code PLAYBOOK and play your first $5 Lineup.

Should Dylan Harper Start Over De’Aaron Fox in NBA Finals for Knicks vs. Spurs?

Fox’s underwhelming play is nothing new, as he finished the Western Conference Finals with 11.2 PPG, a 36.5% field goal percentage, and a 22.7% mark from 3-point land. Harper is trending in the opposite direction by logging 15.3 PPG and a 63.0 FG% over his last three games.

The 20-year-old rookie hinted at his take on Fox’s series-opening performance.

According to NBA.com, Fox and Harper each carry a +7.2 plus/minus over the entire playoffs — which is right behind Spurs C Victor Wembanyama’s +7.4. 

Harper is certainly providing better efficiency with 13.2 PPG and a 52.9 FG% compared to Fox’s 15.9 PPG and 42.4 FG% in the playoffs. However, the rookie may simply lack the skill set to run the offense. In fact, the point guard role would likely fall to Spurs G Stephon Castle if Fox hit the bench, and Castle has 3.6 turnovers per game in the postseason.

Fox was absent in Games 1 and 2 in the Western Conference Finals vs. the Thunder, and San Antonio recorded an alarming 21.0 turnovers per game in the split. The Spurs proceeded to tally 13.2 turnovers per contest in the final five games of the series with Fox in the lineup.

They posted only 13 turnovers in the NBA Finals Game 1 loss against New York, and that was with Wemby totaling 6 turnovers.

Frankly, Fox’s Game 1 performance may be a little overblown. His plus/minus (0) was the best mark in the starting lineup, while players like Wembanyama (-8), Castle (-9), and Harper (-5) all carried worse marks.

The Spurs’ main weakness is a lack of ball handlers, and Fox is the best option on the roster by a mile. This doesn’t take away from Harper’s potential impact on the 2026 NBA Finals, though. How could he fare in NBA Finals Game 2 on Friday, June 5?

Lock in your Knicks vs. Spurs prediction on PrizePicks before Friday night's game tips off!

Spurs G Dylan Harper Stats, Pick vs. Knicks: 12.5 Points

For the Knicks vs. Spurs in NBA Finals Game 2, PrizePicks features Dylan Harper with 12.5 projected points and more. Will Harper go More or Less for that number on Friday night? Let’s break it down, backed by Dylan Harper stats.

As mentioned, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has posted 15.3 PPG in his last three games. His postseason average now sits at 13.2 PPG, surpassing this 12.5 projection.

Few players possess Harper’s knack for getting to the rim, as he has one of the best layup packages you will find. This extends to flourishing in the open court, and the Spurs racked up 15 fast break points in Game 1. That eclipsed the Knicks giving up only 9.9 fast break points per game in the playoffs (second-fewest).

Additionally, Harper has cashed in 5 of his last 10 3-point shots (50.0%). He’s converted only 35.4% of his looks from deep in the playoffs. If this hot streak continues, New York has ceded 37.2 3-point attempts per game in the postseason (13th).

The Knicks are also around the middle of the pack by allowing 24.0 free throw attempts per game in the playoffs (seventh-fewest). With Harper taking 58.7% of his shots within 10 feet of the rim, he has a good chance of getting to the free-throw line. 

Will the emerging rookie continue to break out in NBA Finals Game 2 tonight?

Make your Dylan Harper picks and more on PrizePicks — a preferred DFS partner of the NBA.

{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Make Knicks vs. Spurs Game 2 Picks on PrizePicks

Due to Fox’s point guard duties, Harper may continue to come off the bench. But there’s no denying this breakout rookie’s recent contributions. Will that hot streak continue to Friday night in Game 2 of the NBA Finals?

Don’t wait until tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET — make your Knicks vs. Spurs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.

Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NBA predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through the 2026 NBA Finals.