A star center is sidelined for a month. Four starters out. Jamal Murray is pushing himself to his limit. And a rotation dependent on inexperienced rookies. The Denver Nuggets were so down, they would do anything for some saving grace. Tonight, they were on the edge of a blowout against Giannis Antetokounmpo. But a veteran stood on business and turned the tide. And the Nuggets’ nation’s opinions.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has remained in the shadow of star players, was an inconsistent role player, and faced undue ‘overrated’ labels. Teams, meanwhile, signed him on as an insurance policy and a leap of faith.

This insurance costs the Denver Nuggets $3.63 million for this season. Cheap primarily by league standards but inflated by some fans’ opinions. Tonight, those opinions took a 180.

Hardaway stepped up for the injury-ravaged team. He scored 25 points, including a huge heave from way downtown that has blown away the Internet. His effort helped the Nuggets hustle their way to an unexpected 108-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Hardaway didn’t just drain clutch shots down the stretch—he delivered a game-changing defensive gem, racing back full-court in transition to rip the ball from Giannis. That steal flipped the momentum for Denver, sparking a quick score that ballooned their lead with just minutes left in the fourth.

The 33-year-old is nowhere near the end of his career. But he’s doing his best on a veteran minimum, waiting for his turn in the wings, and being where he’s needed. Fans finally saw that.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has earned his flowers

Being the son of a Hall-of-Famer has its downsides. Tim Hardaway Jr. was held to the same standards as his father, and nothing he did seemed to satisfy fans. From $ 70 million with the Knicks and Mavericks to his one-year contract with the Nuggets, the NBA community claimed he was grossly overpaid.

Tonight showed otherwise. “The perception around the league of Tim Hardaway Jr is so different than the reality. Great player and vet vastly outplaying his minimum contract.”

Top Stories

Dennis Schroder Breaks Silence as NBA Announces 6-Figure Punishment Over Luka Doncic Incident

Steve Kerr Flatly Rejects Reality as Stephen Curry, Warriors Locker Room Admit Major Disadvantage

Eyewitness Reveals Truth Behind Luka Doncic-Dennis Schroder Incident, Ex-Lakers Star Confesses

Klay Thompson to Cut Ties With Mavs — but $53M Problem Lingers, Per Insider

Coach Zach O’Brien Sends Clear Message on Unrivaled Officials After Controversial Breanna Stewart Call

When a player earns the veteran minimum, they’re either an afterthought or fans look for a steady locker room presence, often coming off the bench to support the team.

The Nuggets are in a position where they need their entire rotation and not just a cheerleader. And tonight was a masterclass on what a vet is. “Tim Hardaway Jr is what a vet looks like.”

Against Milwaukee, he didn’t just provide the offense. Maybe he’s learnt it from his dad, but he was the stabilizing presence for a rotation that was missing five of its top eight scorers. Aaron Gordon’s 23 points and Hardaway’s ability to create his own shot and knock down timely transitions proved to be the difference-maker.

And it’s not just this game. The Nuggets’ bench has lacked depth for many seasons till Hardaway arrived. Since both Nikola Jokic and Jose Valanciunas have been out, Hardaway has averaged 24 points across the past seven contests.

“Nobody is talking enough about Tim hardaway jr and what he has done for the bench but for the whole nuggets squad – GAME CHANGER.”

Not only is he a game-changer, but he’s also shifted the narrative. “Where would Denver be without Tim Hardaway this season?!” is now answerable with, “We’d be in deep s—. He’s made himself a bundle of money this offseason. Getting what we’re getting on a vet minimum is absolutely crazy.”

Fans and analysts alike are struggling to reconcile Hardaway’s low-cost contract with his massive on-court impact. The narrative now is, “Really tough to put into words how huge of an addition Tim Hardaway Jr. has been for the Nuggets this year.”

Fans really believe he could keep the Nuggets’ season alive in time for Nikola Jokic to resume his MVP campaign.