Tim Hardaway Jr. has surgery: Mavericks offer no timetable for return

The Dallas Mavericks lost a key piece of their rotation when Tim Hardaway Jr. suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot against the Warriors on Jan. 25. He needed to be helped to the locker room, and the team announced the injury before the final whistle.

Fans knew Hardaway Jr. was facing an extended stretch on the sidelines. Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes noted the average time lost is ten to 11 weeks. Zion Williamson has yet to return this season after suffering a similar injury in the summer.

The Mavs announced that Hardaway Jr. had surgery on Feb. 1 to repair the injury, but did not offer a timetable for his return. Here is a look at the latest.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has surgery: Dallas Mavericks offer no timetable for return

The team did not offer the specifics of his injury, so it is impossible to know when Hardaway Jr. will return to the court. He may be back in April if things heal properly, but the Mavericks should plan on playing without THJ for the rest of the regular season.

Dallas needs Reggie Bullock, Josh Green, and Frank Ntilikina to step up with Hardaway Jr. out. His injury could also push the front office to make a trade. The Mavs need more playmaking and that hole in the roster only got bigger with THJ on the sidelines. Can Dallas find another shot creator before Feb. 10?

It will be difficult for Hardaway Jr. to make an impact in the playoffs. He is unlikely to have time to ramp up after three months on the shelf. Fans have seen that he is a rhythm player, so finding his stride will be difficult after an extended absence.

Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on Tim Hardaway’s recovery, plus news, rumors, and analysis on the Dallas Mavericks that fans crave.