Thursday truly was a Jaden Hardy party hosted by the Dallas Mavericks’ third-year guard.
Hardy had his hands in a number of things that positively affected the Mavs during their dramatic 117-111 come-from-behind victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. For Hardy, the celebration started when he energized the Mavs by scoring 14 of his season-high — and game-high — 25 points in the second quarter.
The party continued with 5:09 remaining in the game when Hardy scored off a feed from Naji Marshall to get the Mavs within four points of the Blazers (103-99). In other words, Hardy appears to be back on solid footing after he missed seven games when he suffered a sprained right ankle Dec. 5 at the Washington Wizards.
“He’s starting to get into a groove, and you can see that on the offensive end, and defensively I think he’s competing and giving everything we’re asking him to do,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think (Thursday) was a big game for him being able to play-make and find the guys when the ball touched the paint. I think he’s starting to get comfortable in that situation.”
Hardy scored 18 of his points against the Blazers in the first half – tying for the second-most points he’s tallied in a first half in his career. At that juncture, he was 7-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from behind the three-point line.
Overall, Hardy was 10-of-18 from the floor, including 5-of-9 from downtown — off the bench. The eye-popping performance continued an upward trend that has Hardy averaging 16.6 points and shooting a sizzling 55.4 percent from the field (31-of-56) and a red-hot 55.6 percent from behind the three-point arc (15-of-27) over the past five games.
Hardy has shot at least 50 percent from the field in six of the last seven games and converted at least half of his three-pointers during those seven games. He also has scored at least 15 points in the past four games, marking the first time in his career he’s accomplished that feat.
“Really, (I’m) just sticking to what I’ve done — just putting in work, extra work in the gym late at night,” Hardy said. “(I’m) going back and just sticking with it and not really letting one bad game affect me.
“(I’m) just moving on to the next one and staying poised, trying to let the g
ame and the rhythm come to me. (I’m doing) extra work, watching film, asking the coaches questions on what can I do to be better or help the team, and I’m trying to bring energy whenever I get out there on the floor and bring a spark.”
Chosen with the 37th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft out of the G League Ignite, Hardy entered the NBA as a well-known bucket getter. It was other elements of his game that needed some polish.
“We all know he can score, but can he get others shots, and he did that (Thursday) for us,” Kidd said. “I think just the more minutes he’s playing, he’s becoming a little bit more comfortable with what we’re asking him to do, and we need that right now with everybody kind of out.”
With superstar guards Luka Dončić (left calf strain) and Kyrie Irving (lumbar back sprain) out nursing injuries, this has afforded Hardy more opportunities to shine. And lately, he’s been shining bright.
“You never want to see guys go down with an injury,” Hardy said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of the opportunities that’s given to me, and I’m just trying to be a good teammate whenever I’m out there.”
Here are the takeaways from the six-point win over the Trail Blazers.
LIVELY WAS AN ENFORCER: To say that Mavs center Dereck Lively II dominated Thursday’s game would be a huge understatement. Not only did Lively score a season-best 21 points
, he also collected a career-high tying 16 rebounds and blocked three shots in a season-high 35 minutes. Lively was 9-of-13 from the field, grabbed seven offensive rebounds and had 13 of his points in the frantic fourth quarter.
WASHINGTON LED THE WAY: In showing off his vocal leadership skills once again, Mavs forward P. J. Washington kept his teammates positive during Thursday’s tough times, then showed them exactly what to do during those tough times. Washington tallied seven of his 23 points during that magical 16-0 run late in the game after they fell behind, 109-99. Washington also dragged down 14 rebounds, picked up three steals and was 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. It was the first time in his career that he’s made more than 10 free throws in a game without a miss.
THE ROARING 20s: The Mavs put the strength of their roster on full display Thursday when they had three players not named Luka Dončić or Kyrie Irving score at least 20 points against the Blazers: Hardy (25), Washington (23) and Lively (21). It’s the first time the Mavs had three players score at least 20 points in the same game that Dončić or Irving didn’t play in since March 15, 2023 against the San Antonio Spurs. In that 137-128 overtime win over the Spurs, Christian Wood poured in 28 points, Jaden Hardy and Dwight Powell scored 22 points apiece, Josh Green tallied 21 points and Reggie Bullock Jr. collected 20 points.
X: @DwainPrice
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