With the season officially over, Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is set to undergo surgery on his left tibia sometime next week. The 26-year-old missed the final few weeks of the regular season due to the injury, and at this point, Hardaway the team have decided that it would be in their best interest for the 6-foot-6 shooting guard to go under the knife.
Speaking to the media, Hardaway shared his thoughts on his upcoming surgery, and how this is something that is completely new to him.
“I’ve never had a surgery before in my entire life, so this is the first time ever anything (is) getting into my body,” Hardaway said at the Mavs’ exit interview session on Thursday at American Airlines Center, via Dwain Price of Mavs.com. “I just know that I have to make sure I take care of my body, make sure I’m healthy throughout the process and make sure I go about it the right way and not come back too quick.”
Nevertheless, Hardaway expressed his confidence in being completely healed by the start of training camp.
“I’ve got surgery coming up, get that taken care of and be back within the middle of the summer, hopefully, which is the plan, and get the ball rolling and get ready for training camp,” Hardaway said. “I just miss being out there with the guys most importantly.”
Finally, Hardaway relayed how this has been a lingering issue throughout the season.
“I was playing through an injury basically the whole entire season. I think that just shows a lot about my character and shows a lot about how much I care for the guys in that locker room.”
Hardaway joined the Mavs at the deadline as part of the Kristaps Porzingis package. In 26 appearances for Dallas, the former New York Knick was able to put up 15.5 points (on 40.4 percent shooting), 2.4 three-pointers, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.6 steals in 29.4 minutes of action.
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