Tim Hardaway Jr. has been excluded from the Miami Heat rotation, changing his role just weeks into the season.
The 34-year-old guard, who arrived in Florida this past summer to provide perimeter spacing, did not play in Tuesday’s victory over the Utah Jazz, according to a report by Basket USA.
This absence from the court represents a stark reversal for a player who was a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award while playing for the Denver Nuggets last season. Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 40.7% from three-point range during his time in Denver, but he has struggled to find his rhythm in Miami.
Through ten appearances this season, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 4.6 points per game. His shooting efficiency has declined significantly, with the veteran connecting on only 26.9% of his field-goal attempts and 23.7% of his shots from beyond the arc, totaling 9-of-38 shooting from long distance.
These offensive difficulties, coupled with defensive challenges, have resulted in a steady reduction of his playing time. After averaging 18 minutes over his first seven games, his involvement dropped to an average of six minutes during the subsequent three contests before he was held out entirely against Utah.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra addressed the changing rotation following a recent loss to the Golden State Warriors. “I commiserate with Tim right now, because it is not really a matter that concerns him personally,” Spoelstra told Basket USA. “We are facing teams with multiple creators capable of attacking their direct defender. Sometimes, certain associations work, sometimes they do not bring us what we expect.”
In the game against Utah, Spoelstra utilized a different lineup, opting to increase the minutes for Simone Fontecchio and Myron Gardner. These players, who had seen limited action previously, were joined in the rotation by Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins, and rookie Ryan Conwell.
“I simply wanted a group capable of bringing energy, and they were very good in the second quarter,” Spoelstra said of the adjustments.
Despite the current exclusion, the coaching staff has indicated that the decision is not a permanent one. Spoelstra emphasized his long-standing familiarity with the player’s work ethic and professional history.
“I have known Tim for a long time. He has character, he has tenacity. He will find a way to get back into the mix and have an important impact, the one we expected from him,” Spoelstra told Basket USA. “But for the moment, we are going to continue like this. And we will see where it leads us.”
The Heat are scheduled to continue their season as they look to integrate these rotation changes into their broader tactical approach.
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