New York Knicks Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. Still Sidelined Due to Stress Injury in His Leg
New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. seems to be making progress in his recovery from a stress injury in his lower left leg, but the team still doesn't have a clear timetable for his return and they don't want to rush him back until he's fully healthy.
In his first interview with the media since he got hurt, Hardaway emphasized that the injury was serious and he said he's not going to put pressure on himself by setting a return date.
"The goal is just to get better first," Hardaway said before the Knicks took on the Brooklyn Nets last Thursday, via the New York Post.
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"That's the goal. I'm not giving myself no deadline. I don't want to get to that point and be upset and down on myself. I don't want to give myself a set date on when I should return. I'll do what I can to get this right. When I'm confident and ready to go, then we'll see," he continued.
Hardaway's not in a hurry to make his return, but he has noted that he would be playing already if it were the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the former University of Michigan standout has found other ways to help his teammates while he's on the shelf.
"I'm here supporting the team the best way I can, helping them out, whether it's watching film, player personnel, keying on plays,'' Hardaway said, according to the New York Post.
Hardaway also told the media that he's allowed to improve his conditioning and do some stationary shooting drills right now, but he has to keep off his left leg until it heals.
The fifth-year guard is averaging 17.8 points, 3.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 21 games this season, and he has made 42 percent of his shots from the field. Hardaway is also shooting 31.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 80 percent from the free-throw line.
