New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. believes he’s close to a comeback, but he won’t return until the medical staff has cleared him.
Through 21 games, New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. had become one of the most pleasant surprises in the NBA. Despite playing out of position, Hardaway was piecing together a career-year that had him ranked in the top 10 amongst small forwards in Real Plus-Minus.
Unfortunately, just as Hardaway began to hit his stride, he suffered a stress injury in his lower left leg that’s since forced him to miss 19 games—and counting.
Hardaway is currently averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.3 three-point field goals made per game. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played in an NBA game since Nov. 29, when he helped the Knicks decimate the Miami Heat, 115-86.
According to Greg Joyce of The New York Post, Hardaway is participating in full-contact practices, but won’t return until the medical staff clears him.
"“I think I’m coming back when I’m confident. Right now, we’re close,” Hardaway said. “But it doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what the doctors say and what my training staff and people want me to do after I get the news.”"
Hardaway is as frustrated as anyone with the lengthy wait, but he’s putting his trust in the medical staff and prioritizing his health.
"“It’s tough, it’s tough,” [Hardaway] said. “Especially on our bigs and on our guard play. Just wish I was out there helping them out each and every possession. Health is first. I just want to make sure this is all taken care of. It looks like it’s going very well. Once I get some news, I’m pretty sure you guys will know.”"
Hardaway has missed more time than he would’ve liked, but it’s a testament to his maturity and professionalism that he’s letting the situation play out organically.
Playing without Hardaway has been a tall task for the Knicks. On a per game basis, Hardaway ranks No. 1 on the team in three-point field goals made, No. 2 in points, No. 3 in assists and steals, and No. 5 in rebounding.
One could argue that no strength has been more desperately missed than his shooting, as New York ranks dead last in the NBA in three-point field goals made per game.
For as sorely as the Knicks miss Hardaway, and for as eager as he is to return, he and the team deserve credit for handling this situation the right way.
It would’ve been easy to rush Hardaway back from his injury when New York lost seven of eight games, thus falling from 17-14 to 18-21. Both Hardaway and the coaching staff are trusting the trainers, however, which is the only rational approach to this delicate situation.
Hardaway, who’s in the first season of a four-year contract, will return when the medical staff clears him to do so—and not a moment sooner.
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The New York Knicks need Tim Hardaway Jr. back in the rotation, but more than anything, they need him at 100 percent.
Thankfully, Joyce reports that the Knicks haven’t ruled out the possibility of Hardaway playing Friday in Minnesota or Sunday at The Mecca against the New Orleans Pelicans.