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Tim Hardaway Jr. passes Dirk Nowitzki on NBA all-time list in Nuggets win
Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Tim Hardaway Jr. passes Dirk Nowitzki on NBA all-time list in Nuggets win

Most know the Hardaway name because of the five-time NBA All-Star point guard who enjoyed most of his success in the 1990s. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. has established a legacy of his own. 

Hardaway Jr. elevated his own place in NBA history on Friday night, helping the Denver Nuggets' to a 122-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. 

While scoring 22 points in 25 minutes, Hardaway, 33, moved up to No. 20 on the NBA's all-time three-pointers made list. Passing league legend Dirk Nowitzki in the process, Hardaway now has hit 1,983 threes throughout his 13-year career. 

In addition to going 6-of-9 from the field against the Clippers, Hardaway sunk five out of the seven long-range shots he attempted in the game. He also brought down a pair of rebounds.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is playing some of the best basketball of his career 

Still playing to around the same consistent level he's been at every year, Hardaway entered the night averaging exactly 14.0 points per game, which is just a tick up from his overall career average of 13.7. 

Hardaway has even been more efficient than normal, shooting to a 44.6% clip from the field and 40.2% from three, a mark that would be the best for a full season of his career if it holds. 

He's also been averaging 2.5 boards and 1.4 assists so far this season. 

Tim Hardaway Jr. should pass another NBA legend very soon 

Showing no signs of slowing down, Hardaway will most certainly keep climbing up the ladder as far as being among the best three-point shooters in NBA history. Next up is Jason Kidd, who sits at No. 19 with 1,988 and then getting over 2,000 and chasing down Eric Gordon at No. 18 with 2,092. 

The New York Knicks' first-round pick in 2013 out of Michigan, Hardaway, who signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets in July, has also spent time with the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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