Tim Hardaway Jr. scores season-high and hits clutch 3 in win over Nets

Dallas Mavericks fans were a bit worried when Tim Hardaway Jr. missed the team’s loss to the shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night with a foot injury. It was labeled as right foot soreness, but he popped up on the injury report the day of the game, and THJ is coming off a season-ending left foot surgery.

The 6’5 wing was listed as questionable to face the Brooklyn Nets, but head coach Jason Kidd announced he would return in his pregame press conference, and it only took one game to alleviate all the injury concerns.

Hardaway Jr. played 30 minutes off the bench on Thursday night where he scored 18 points on six of 13 shooting from the field, including hitting a clutch 3-pointer in overtime to help lift the Mavericks to victory over the Nets. Here is a look at why it was a needed performance from the 30-year-old.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scores season-high and hits clutch 3 in win over Nets

Hardaway Jr. had foot surgery in January, so he was still knocking off the rust in the first two games where he averaged 12.5 points per game on 30 percent shooting from the field. It was fantastic to see him come out and drop 18, including hitting this clutch 3-pointer to lift Dallas to a much-needed win.

The Mavericks got the victory, despite Kyrie Irving scoring 39 points and Kevin Durant having 37. Yes, Luka Doncic had a 41-point triple-double, but Dallas had six players in double figures and they needed every one of them to defeat the Nets on Thursday night in Brooklyn.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is a key scorer and floor space for the Dallas Mavericks, so it was fantastic to see him net a season-high 18 points and be on the floor in clutch time. Head coach Jason Kidd opted for Maxi Kleber and THJ to close out the game over Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood, and the move paid off as both players hit clutch shots to help Dallas win on the road.

Hopefully, Tim Hardaway Junior’s foot soreness is a thing of the past. Fans should keep an eye on his status heading into Saturday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it was fantastic to see the old THJ back for the first time this season. Expect the 3-pointers to keep falling as he works his way back into form.