Jaden Hardy

Allow the team with the NBA’s eighth-most made dunks the opportunity to score 66 points in the paint, and, as the New Orleans Pelicans quickly discovered, the end-of-game highlight reels aren’t likely to be pleasant. Presented with guard-against-big isolation opportunities all throughout November 19, 2024’s matchup, Jaden Hardy offers his share in a demonstrative way, taking two different chances at breaking free of Trey Jemison’s defensive resistance. Prevailing in the head-to-head’s round No. 2 through a between-the-leg and blur-quick drive right, the highflying guard finds what’s needed for a one-handed punctuation at the rim, extending the Dallas Mavericks’ second quarter lead to 16. In what doubled as Dallas’ highest-scoring game to date (132 points), and a 41-point win in NBA Cup play, Hardy was among the many to benefit. One of four different double-figure scorers along the bench, the third-year guard chipped in 11 points, two rebounds, three assists, and a +13 plus-minus.