Luka Doncic

Jaden Hardy is giving the Mavericks the offensive lift they need with their two stars sidelined by injuries, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. The third-year guard is coming off a season-high 25-point performance in Thursday’s win over Portland, and Curtis notes that since December 28, Hardy is leading the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 55.6%.

“He’s starting to get into a groove,” coach Jason Kidd said. “You see that on the offensive end. Defensively, he’s competing and giving it everything we’re asking him to do. … I think the more minutes he’s playing, he’s becoming more comfortable with what we’re asking him to do. We need that with everybody out.”

Hardy is becoming the scoring threat the Mavs envisioned when they gave him a three-year, $18MM extension in October. He has scored in double figures in the last five games — the longest stretch of his career — and Dallas is 10-4 when he posts at least 10 points.

“Just sticking to what I’ve been doing,” Hardy said. “Extra work. Extra film. Asking the coaches questions. ‘What can I do better to help the team?’ Just trying to bring energy whenever I get out there and bring a spark.”

There’s more from Dallas:

• Spencer Dinwiddie has also been playing an important role while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are out of action, per Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. Dinwiddie, who has become the primary lead guard, had 17 points, five rebounds and five assists against Portland after compiling 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists Tuesday against the Lakers. “The pick and roll, the tempo of getting downhill, the ball touching the paint and being able to make plays,” Kidd said in describing what Dinwiddie brings to the offense. “We need that while those two are out, and even when those two come back we need him to continue to play that way.”
• Quentin Grimes talks to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (Substack link) about a number of topics, including the adjustments he needed to make after being traded from Detroit to Dallas over the summer. “Being on a new team, I’ve had to learn the system and all the nuances defensively,” he said. “I try to keep everyone focused on building good habits, even when things are going well. We want to be in the playoffs and compete for a championship, so I’m trying to help keep us on that path.”
• Irving is making progress in his recovery from a bulging disc in his back and was able to do some spot-shooting drills after today’s practice, Afseth adds in a separate story. Doncic did some light shooting without jumping, but Kidd cautioned that there are several steps to be cleared before a timetable can be set for his return. Kidd is optimistic about Dante Exum, who has been sidelined since hurting his right wrist in training camp. “He’s doing a great job with his rehab,” Kidd said. “I think he’s out to the three-point line shooting now, so a lot of positives there. And then it’s just a matter of getting the scheduled appointment to check to see how the wrist is doing and then go from there. But he’s in great shape. He’s done a lot of solo workouts.”