Dallas Mavericks swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. woke up on Thursday feeling dangerous. The 29-year-old exploded in their 115-105 win over the Detroit Pistons with a career-high 42 points, including shooting 6-of-10 from deep that would make any parent proud.

After the game, Hardaway had a simple explanation of what got into him at Little Caesars Arena. And the Pistons can blame his dad, former NBA star, Tim Hardaway Sr. who was watching the game (via Brad Townsend of Dallas Morning News).

“When Pops is in the building, I don't know, these things seem to happen.”

 

For the Gen Zs in attendance who might not know who the original Tim Hardaway is, here's a quick run-through: He was one of the flashiest point guards to ever play in the NBA, a five-time All-Star who was breaking ankles way before Instagram, Twitter, and smartphones were invented with his trademark “Killer Crossover,” and a four-time All-NBA Team member, whose no. 10 jersey was retired by the Miami Heat.

Guess it's safe to say where the younger Hardaway got his basketball genes from.

 

The younger Hardaway made the most of the opportunity against the Pistons. Aside from having his father in the building to cheer him on, a couple of key Mavericks were sitting this one out, including Luka Doncic.

With Kristaps Porzingis also exiting the game due to right knee soreness, all eyes were on Tim Hardaway Jr. to carry the scoring cudgels. And that's exactly what he did as he pushed the Mavericks to a huge road to inch closer to a top-five finish in the Western Conference.