STIFF UPPER LIP
Hardaway shows grit after taking shot to mouth
Not even a swollen, stitched-up lip could stop Tim Hardaway Jr. from lighting it up again.
The Knicks new go-to scorer, who took an elbow to the mouth from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the first half in drawing a charge, finished with 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the club’s 115-96 Garden win Monday night.
With Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox injured, Hardaway has established himself as a No. 1 option and it hasn’t change in any game. He’s averaging 25 points through seven games.
“I’m proud of him,’’ David Fizdale said. “He knows this year is going to be an upand-down year for us. His growth and what he’s trying to take from it is, ‘How am I going to be a star, be a go-to guy, how am I going to take the next step?’ I trusted him and it’s going to pay off in the end.’’
Hardaway has a $71 million contract and is scoring like a $100 million player.
“Coach staff put me in position to be here,’’ Hardaway said. “My teammates have the utmost confidence in me to do so. I have to be aggres-
sive on the offensive end. Some shots are not as pleasing I but have to take those.”
Hardaway left the game bloodied after taking an inadvertent elbow in the second quarter, got stitched up at halftime and was given clearance to return. But he had a tough time talking through his swollen lips. “Just adrenaline,’’ Hardaway said.
Point guard Emmanuel
Mudiay, who has been out with a sprained ankle, made his season debut in garbage time, playing the final 2:24 without taking a shot.
Fizdale declined to discuss his intentions after the game but he could have gotten himself ejected in the first half if not for Keith Smart holding the volatile coach back. After Allonzo Trier went up for a dunk, he was belted by Shabazz Napier. The ball spun out and there was no foul call. Fizdale looked furious, gesticulating wildly and appeared to be trying to go on the court before assistant Smart held him back. Fizdale’s histrionics still earned him a technical foul. He said he wouldn’t discuss it for fear of losing more money.