5 Studs from Dallas Mavericks' suspenseful preseason loss to Utah Jazz

4. Stud - Jaden Hardy

In the Dallas Mavericks' first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Jaden Hardy erupted for 21 points and eight assists. Hardy knocked down six threes in this game and made some great passes, but his decision-making wasn't put to the full test.

He was expected to be the leading scorer with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson all out, and his 3-point shooting was on the next level. He was fearless when letting it fly from three, and before Thursday night's game, a whole new layer of pressure was added on Hardy's shoulders.

It was reported that Dante Exum would miss three months after getting surgery on his wrist, and he will be forced to step up in his absence.

He responded well in Dallas' game against Utah as he finished with 12 points and four assists while shooting 2-6 from downtown, and he made far fewer mistakes than he did on Monday. He was making the right reads when driving to the rim, whether that was dumping the ball off to the bigs or finding a shooter in the corner, and his fearlessness in this game is what stood up.

He doesn't shy away from the moment ever, and he is going to have to keep this up into the regular season. Hardy shooting a high volume of threes could pay off big for the Mavs if he can get his shooting percentages to rise back up, and his quick release allows him to get shots off over closing-out defenders.

Hardy also displayed his growing lob passing ability as he found Daniel Gafford in transition for a slam. He has grown tremendously as a lob passer since the start of the playoffs last season, and still, he doesn't need to be an elite playmaker.

Hardy just needs to be solid as a secondary creator, and Jason Kidd making him a lead ball handler in the preseason is preparing him for the rigorous regular season.