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New York Knicks: Players who must step up in Tim Hardaway Jr.’s absence

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Tim Hardaway Jr #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Tim Hardaway Jr #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 27: Tim Hardaway Jr #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 27: Tim Hardaway Jr #3 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. will miss at least two weeks with a leg injury. Who needs to step up for the Knicks in his absence?

The New York Knicks received devastating news on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Tim Hardaway Jr. missed each of the past two games with a lower leg injury, but the working theory was that he’d return following the Knicks’ back-to-back against the Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers.

Unfortunately, the Knicks announced via the team’s official Twitter account that Hardaway would miss at least two weeks with a stress injury in his lower left leg.

That’s a devastating blow, but it’s also a new opportunity for the Knicks to explore their depth and long-term potential.

Hardaway has been nothing short of invaluable to the Knicks’ success during the 2017-18 NBA regular season. New York currently has net ratings of +2.8 with Hardaway on the court and a team-worst -8.2 when he isn’t—a difference of 11.0 points per 100 possessions.

Furthermore, he ranks No. 10 amongst small forwards in Real Plus-Minus, is first on the team in three-point field goals made, and is second in both points and assists per game.

More specifically, he’s averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made in 34.1 minutes per game. Those well-rounded contributions have been crucial to the Knicks’ offensive execution, as well as its unexpectedly strong defense.

With Hardaway out, the New York Knicks will need players to step up in his place. The question is: Who will face the most pressure to do so?

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