Spurs' Mitch Johnson concerned after Dylan Harper exits Game 2

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Spurs' Mitch Johnson concerned after Dylan Harper exits Game 2 image

Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

By Rafael Bandayrel

The San Antonio Spurs may have lost more than just Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday (PH time).

Filipino-American rookie Dylan Harper exited the game with an apparent hamstring injury and did not return as the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away for a 122-113 victory to even the series at 1-1.

After the game, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson admitted he still had no clear update regarding Harper’s condition.

“I have no update,” Johnson said during the postgame press conference. “Just know he went out when he took an awkward landing. I guess he fell, but that awkward landing… I just heard he wasn’t coming back. I haven’t got an update yet.”

Harper’s injury came at a brutal time for San Antonio, which was already missing veteran point guard De’Aaron Fox due to the ankle sprain he suffered during the Western Conference semifinals.

Without two of their primary ball-handlers, the Spurs struggled to deal with Oklahoma City’s relentless defensive pressure. The Thunder forced turnovers throughout the night and converted them into easy points in transition.

Johnson admitted the absences of Harper and Fox placed extra pressure on the rest of the roster.

“A ton,” Johnson said when asked about the impact of missing key creators. “You know, obviously, this team (Oklahoma City) is as good as anybody in turning you over so when your down some of your primary creators and initiators it causes a little bit of extra strain whether it’s who to play, what to play, what to run.”

The Spurs committed costly mistakes down the stretch as Oklahoma City seized control in the second half. The Thunder finished with 27 points off turnovers, something Johnson acknowledged simply cannot happen against a team of their caliber.

“We’ll just have to be sharper in that area because it’s tough,” Johnson said. “We’re fully loaded against these guys so we obviously… 27 points off turnovers is not a winning formula.”

There is still no word on whether Harper or Fox will be available for Game 3 on Saturday as the series shifts to San Antonio with the Western Conference Finals now tied at one game apiece.

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