In a rough start like the Mavericks’ preseason opener Thursday, you search for bright spots and it came midway through the second quarter with the appearance of Jaden Hardy.
The Mavericks already were down by more than 20 points on their way to a 111-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they got an immediate lift from Hardy when he entered the game.
Luka Dončić rolling to 25 first-half points, but he was getting precious little help.
Then as he was on the bench for a breather, Hardy took charge. He ran a Luka-like pick-and-roll with Dwight Powell that got the big man an easy dunk with 4:50 left in the first half. That was part of a stretch when the Mavericks pared a 29-point deficit to 17 at halftime.
And Hardy was on the court in the third quarter when the Mavericks made a big run to get back into the game. They got as close as 77-72 before the Wolves pulled away again.
But the score was unimportant. What mattered is that Hardy was a spark off the bench, finishing with 13 points and three assists in 20 minutes. The Mavericks were plus-12 when he was on the floor and much of his time came against Minnesota’s front-line players.
“Once I got my name called, I just tried to create a spark, bring some life to the team, bring some energy and try to play my game,” Hardy said of his play. ”
Clearly, Hardy was comfortable some 8,000-plus miles away from Dallas, which was interesting considering he is not exactly a world traveler.
“I’ve only been out of the country three times – I’ve been to Mexico, the D.R. (Dominican Republic) and the Bahamas,” Hardy said before the Mavericks departed for the overseas trip. “But I feel like it’s going to be fun to go out and compete, but still have fun.”
And fun it was while he was on the court. His ever-present smile was on display and he kept things light for the Mavericks even if the score wasn’t what they would have liked.
Hardy is hoping for a breakout season. Or more accurately, an extension of the breakout stretch he had at the end of last season.
He closed out 2022-23 by playing the final 16 games (five starts) and averaging 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting a superb 45.8 percent from three-point land.
That number was a shade higher than his overall shooting percentage.
“I feel like I had a good rookie season,” Hardy said. “At the end of the season, I started getting more minutes and showed what I could do.”
That momentum was the springboard for a long, important summer of work for the 6-4 Hardy.
He has worked on defense, ballhandling and every other aspect of his game that he felt needed attention.
And on Thursday, he showed off some of the fruits of his hard labor.
While Hardy’s potential is limitless, it will not be an easy road for him this season.
The wing positions are going to be competitive for the Mavericks. Grant Williams, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr. all will be eyeing playing time, in addition to Hardy.
And that doesn’t include rookie O-Max Prosper, Richaun Holmes and Markieff Morris if coach Jason Kidd elects to go with a bigger lineup.
But if the first preseason game showed anything, it’s that Hardy is intent on trying to take that next step.
Briefly: The Mavericks played their regular rotation during the first half, with Luka playing all of the first quarter and either him or Kyrie Irving (or both) on the court at all times. In the second half, starters Irving, Dončić and Grant Williams all sat out . . . Tim Hardaway Jr. was out with right hamstring soreness. Mike Miles Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. also sat out the game with illnesses . . . The Mavericks were behind 19-3 in the early going and missed their first 14 tries from beyond the arc . . . The Mavericks and Wolves will take part in several local events in Abu Dhabi on Friday, including an NBA Cares event for a junior clinic . . . The Mavericks will travel to Madrid after Saturday’s game against the Wolves. They play Real Madrid on Tuesday and return to Dallas on Oct. 12. They will have a mandatory non-practice period upon their return . . . Coach Jason Kidd said Luka and Kyrie both should see a little more action on Saturday. The best news of the day was from Luka, who said of his left thigh problem: “It feels way better. It’s been improving every day.”
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment