Tim Hardaway Jr. returns in Mavericks vs Nets after missing 1 game with foot injury

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night without Tim Hardaway Jr. The 6’5 wing popped up on the injury report late with right foot soreness, and the team held him out of the game. The Mavs left their defense in Dallas as the Pelicans were without three starters, but shot over 57 percent from the field in the upset.

It was not a long absence for THJ as head coach Jason Kidd said he would play on Thursday night in Brooklyn, despite being listed as questionable. Dallas missed his shot-making and scoring punch off the bench in their loss in New Orleans.

Should fans be worried about Hardaway Jr. long-term? Here is a look at why it could crop up again, but the concern level should not be through the roof.

Tim Hardaway Jr. returns in Mavericks vs Nets after missing 1 game with a foot injury

Hardaway Jr. suffered a season-ending foot injury in January that kept him on the shelf through the team’s run to the conference finals. That was his left foot, so it was positive that THJ was not having pain in his surgically repaired foot.

The injury is something to monitor as the season progresses. The Mavericks have their best back-to-back of the season on Saturday and Sunday. Is Hardaway Jr. able to play on both ends? Does the foot injury crop back up after a stretch of three games in four days or four games in six days?

Fans should not be worried right now, but if the injury lingers it could be problematic for Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks. He is just three of 11 from 3-point range in his first two games. Is he rusty after missing significant time or is this foot injury impacting his jumper? It is something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks, including injury updates and analysis all season long.