The problems of the Dallas Mavericks bench players surrounding Luka Doncic have received a lot of attention, particularly Tim Hardaway Jr., who missed part of last season with a foot ailment. Given his underperformance in comparison to his pay, Hardaway was a potential trade candidate as the season started out poorly for him from beyond the arc.
However, over the past week or two, the 30-year-old sniper has come to life, paying off head coach Jason Kidd’s confidence in him. Tim Hardaway Jr. joined a select group of marksmen that includes Stephen Curry, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, James Harden, and Damian Lillard in becoming only the 10th player in NBA history to drain five or more triples in five consecutive games after draining six of his eight attempts in a 116-115 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has become only the 10th player in @NBA history to connect on 5+ 3FG in 5 consecutive games.
Stephen Curry (7x)
Paul George (2x)
Jalen Green
*Tim Hardaway Jr.
James Harden (4x)
Damian Lillard
George McCloud (DAL)
Dennis Scott
Jayson Tatum
Gary Trent Jr. pic.twitter.com/AebUw8q94f— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) December 7, 2022
Tim Hardaway Jr. may have needed to return to the starting lineup in order to regain some of his prior forms. Despite the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks easily defeated them in his starting five debuts this season, Hardaway Jr. has been on fire ever since.
Hardaway has been shooting like a guy on automatic over the previous five games, making 30 of his last 55 attempts from outside the arc and averaging 24.4 points to give Luka Doncic some offensive relief.
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Hardaway set a season-high with 29 points in the Mavs’ most recent victory over the Nuggets, leading both teams in scoring. Hardaway’s latest run is what earns him the $19.6 million contract he signed for the season.
Even though it’s hard to imagine this kind of unrelenting shooting continuing in any fashion, it’s encouraging to see that Tim Hardaway Jr. is stepping up when the Mavs absolutely need his output. Over the previous five games, the Mavs have gone 4-1, steadily moving up the Western Conference standings. Hopefully, Reggie Bullock will break out of his terrible shooting slump next.
