Filipino American players will make history in NBA championship series

Two Filipino Americans, the Spurs' Dylan Harper, left, and the Knicks'' Jordan Clarkson will
make history when they play in the National Basketball Association Championship series.

If you want to be a witness to history, watch a basketball game June 3. Not just any game. I'm talking about the championship series of the National Basketball Association where, for the first time, two Filipino American players will play key roles for their respective teams.

Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks and rookie Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs will break barriers as the first players of Filipino descent to clash in the NBA Finals.

The two players will ommand the floor as second-unit guards, but they are different stages of their careers as they step onto the NBA's biggest stage:

Jordan Clarkson: The former Sixth Man of the Year adjusted his game this season after signing a minimum deal with New York. While his outside shooting was erratic during the regular season, his veteran poise, physical driving, and surprising offensive rebounding have provided a dependable edge for the Knicks' second unit throughout this deep postseason run. In the past, the 33-year old  has proven with his past teams that he could be an offensive force even though with the Knicks, his numbers are down.

Dylan Harper: The Spurs' 20-year old freshman guard has been a revelation, providing a fearless spark off the bench but he's surprised the coaches and occasionally starts. Despite battling the mental strain of the playoffs and physical soreness, he proved his resilience by hitting crucial shots to help San Antonio survive a grueling seven-game Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City during which he elevated his game earning comparisons to the likes of Kobe Bryant and Manu Ginóbili for his instant scoring off the bench.

FYI: Watch the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs live on ABC and stream via the ESPN App. Coverage begins on Wednesday, June 3, with all games tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT).

Both players are proud of their Filipino heritage and the historic nature of their meeting in the championship best-of-seven series. "I think my focus is on these next games, this next series. Obviously, it’s a blessing to represent the Philippines, where I’m from," Harper told reporters after the Spurs' 111-103 Game 7 win.

"I think me and Jordan Clarkson are doing a great job doing that. My biggest thing is to focus on what's in front of me.”

Clarkson has expressed joy and pride over Harper entering the league, noting that they are successfully expanding Filipino representation in the NBA.

Likewise, Clarkson, who plays on the Philippines' national team in FIBA-sponsored tournaments, said he is focused on the games ahead. The last time he played in the NBA finals was in 2018 when he was the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During the regular season, the veteran-laden Knicks hold a 2-1 edge over the energetic youthful Spurs, with each team's victories coming on their home courts.

Never before has a player with Filipino ancestry won an NBA title. With Clarkson and Harper on opposing teams, that streak will be snapped.

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