The Nuggets were struggling at home against the Toronto Raptors, and they needed a big bucket in the fourth quarter. Tim Hardaway Jr. provided that big bucket, a three-pointer to tie the game in the fourth, and he gave the Nuggets two more in the frame, totaling seven threes made for the game. It's the fifth time this season THJ has done that off the bench. Only three other players have ever done so as bench players, and two of them won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award.
It's a great precedent for Hardaway's hopes, and THJ's ready to win it. "When I came here, that was one of my goals," Hardaway said after the game.
However, Hardaway knows the team's performance is also a factor in the award, exactly the same effect that Nikola Jokic is facing in chasing the MVP. "But also, it comes with team success, and I know that," Hardaway said.
THJ's season in Denver has been a bargain
THJ signed with the Nuggets for the veteran minimum, currently making $2.296 million, one of the lowest-paid players on the team. But his value has been much more than bottom for the Nuggets. He's been a big bright spot this season.
The 34-year-old 13-year vet is averaging 13.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 70 of the Nuggets' 71 games, making only five starts. Head coach David Adelman chose to keep Hardaway as the anchor of the bench with all of the injuries the Nuggets sustained.
And it's paid off. THJ's shooting 41% from three, the highest mark of his career. He looks comfortable coming off the bench, averaging 27.1 minutes, which is actually the lowest mark he's seen since 2016.
Hardaway's also leading the league in TOV%, at 5.0. TOV% measures an estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays. Keeping the rock protected has been an issue for the Nuggets lately, but not for THJ. He's also the career leader in the category.
The Nuggets need the clutch help
Coach Adelman elected to go with THJ over Cam Johnson on the floor with the starters in the clutch against the Raptors, and it paid off, ending with a win. Cam's been playing much better lately, but he still doesn't seem confident enough to take late shots. THJ does not have that problem.
And having someone who's literally one of the most secure ball handlers ever on the floor in the clutch is probably a good idea, too. Hardaway's been a bargain for the Nuggets. He's doing all he can for the Sixth Man award, and he's got a pretty rare stat with precedent to help his case.