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Mavs' Jaden Hardy Thrives in Clutch Moments vs. Bulls

Originally posted on FanNation Dallas Basketball
By Grant Afseth | Last updated 11/3/23

DENVER — Entering the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks did not have second-year guard Jaden Hardy in their rotation. With veteran backcourt additions like Dante Exum and Seth Curry, playing time has been hard to come behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

“There’s only so many that can play,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd told reporters before the Mavs' home opener against the Brooklyn Nets. “I can’t play all 15. But he will play at some point. We do have a lot of guards. You have two guards (Luka and Kyrie) that will play, let’s say, 35 [minutes]. There’s not a lot of time for everyone to participate.

"Again, this isn't CYO where everyone will get a participation ribbon for playing.”

The Mavs remained intent on conveying the message that Hardy will receive an opportunity at some point, especially when injuries occur to either Docnic or Irving.

“You just have to be patient,” Kidd said. “It’s 82 games, hopefully, plus. There will be times (knocking on wood) when Luka or Kai are out, and other guys have to step up and be ready—Hardy’s one of those guys.

"He’s got to be ready. He’s doing everything, but he was hurt before the opener," Kidd said of Hardy. "At some point, he will get a chance to play, just like [Seth] Curry, Dante [Exum], the two-ways, and the ballboys, so everybody’s going to play.”

Despite not receiving minutes during the Mavs' first two games, Hardy remained focused on getting extra reps in through long hours of extra work.

"Just staying in the gym, putting in late hours in the gym, staying late, going back at night," Hardy told DallasBasketball.com. "I continue to get my reps up, even if I'm not getting a lot of reps out there in the game."

After the Mavs' shootaround in Memphis on Monday, Hardy was the last player to leave the floor. He was still getting up free throws after the rest of the team had left for the bus to return to the team hotel.

"Yeah, I feel like it's very important," Hardy told DallasBasketball.com before Wednesday's game. "Just stay with it and get your work in, staying late, getting up my reps, even if I'm not playing, by working on my game so that I can get better."

Hardy didn't need to wait long for his number to be called on, considering Kyrie Irving became sidelined for the team's two most recent games due to a left foot sprain. He played 10 minutes in the Mavs' 125-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring six points and dishing out an assist while making a pair of 3s.

When Hardy made his most significant impact was down the stretch of the Mavs' 114-105 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Maxi Kleber was ruled out for the rest of the game with what was later diagnosed as a right small toe dislocation, resulting in the Mavs having a very youthful lineup in clutch time around Doncic, including Dereck Lively II, Josh Green, Grant Williams, and Hardy.

Hardy, who finished with nine points, one rebound, and one assist in 14 minutes, provided important plays in clutch time against the Bulls. The first was a drive to the rim that featured a finish at the rim after Doncic drew two defenders on a blitz after receiving a ball screen. Hardy took advantage by attacking the middle of the floor while using a change of pace mid-drive to create an advantage against Patrick Williams. Dallas increased its lead to 99-96 with 5:13 left in regulation.

“Just understanding that [Jaden] Hardy is really good at being able to shoot it or read the situation or drive it and get to the rim," Kidd told reporters. "I thought he did a really good job of that tonight."

The next play involved Doncic reading the Bulls loading up at the nail by pre-rotating Alex Caruso in help defender, creating a window of opportunity to get the ball to Hardy, who was spacing one pass away. He didn't hesitate to shoot on the catch and made Caruso pay despite an attempt to contest the recovery. The Mavs went up 106-100 with 1:41 remaining in the game.

“I thought [Jaden] Hardy was great for us tonight, being able to be in the rotation defensively and offensively," Kidd told reporters. "He made some great plays for us offensively, getting to the basket, making plays for his teammates. He made some big shots. I think, again, Luka [Doncic] trusted his teammates to understand it wasn't his typical night of dominating offensively. Trusting the other guys on the floor shows his maturity and trust."

Before Wednesday's game, Hardy mentioned his on-court focuses included an added focus to make a defensive impact by fully honing in on his responsibilities within the scheme. He also wanted to control his pace and take quality shots while continuing to move the ball to keep his teammates involved.

"When I'm out there locking in defensively, being where I'm supposed to be," Hardy told DallasBasketball.com before Wednesday's game. "And playing at my pace, taking the right shots when I'm in, and getting my teammates involved."

The execution that Hardy provided the Mavs in a few big moments commanded the respect of his teammates, including a shout-out from Grant Williams after the game.

"Shout out to [Jaden Hardy] because he did an amazing job tonight — just being ready when his number was called," Williams told reporters. "He came in, and he played 14 minutes, but most of those minutes were in the fourth quarter and had multiple clutch plays for us, not only with passing but taking tough shots for us.

It remains to be seen how the Mavs will utilize Hardy throughout the season, considering how much backcourt competition there is for minutes. It becomes a complicated matter for the coaching staff to resolve once Irving returns from injury.