Knicks SG Tim Hardaway Jr. is enjoying early success, but he wants his team to have the same fortunes, too.
While Hardaway is averaging a career-high 27 points through his first four games, the Knicks have lost three straight since their home-opening win over the Hawks. And those losses have been heartbreakers, with two coming down to the final buzzer.
The Knicks have fought hard against opponents like the Bucks and Celtics, but coming away with a loss isn't what Hardaway imagines at the end of his game -- no matter how well he performed.
"It's very important to get us over the hump," Hardaway, who has dropped 24 points in his last two games, told The Post's Marc Berman. "We know we're right there with a bunch of teams, but at the same time we have to focus on ourselves and close out these games that can be wins."
The 26-year-old guard is a main reason why the Knicks have been in these close contests to begin with. Being the team's No. 1 option on offense with Kristaps Porzingis out, Hardaway knows he needs to step up and be more aggressive this season.
"I'm trying to do what I can do to will my team to try to win ballgames," he said. "I have to be aggressive and be the guy who forces the issue under these circumstances."
The Knicks will look to turn things around Wednesday night on the road against the Heat. For Hardaway, it is also a homecoming, having grown up in Miami during his father, Tim Hardaway Sr.'s, days as a star for the Heat.
"It's special always, though I've never had a good game here throught the years," Hardaway Jr. said.
That could change with his father's luck. Hardaway Sr. has been out to each of the Knicks' first four games, and his son has responded with stellar performances.
Hardaway Jr. noted this is the first time his father has had the time to come to this many games, having been working as a Pistons assistant coach recently. Now that he parted ways with the team, he enjoys having him out there to support as it gives Hardaway Jr. another reason to turn it up on the hardwood.
"It's been great," Hardaway Jr. said. "The last time he was able to do that was when I was at college (Michigan) and he was a Heat scout. He's watched some of my games, which he hasn't been able to do. It has helped me out a lot confidence-wise. I like it. Another reason to go out there and play hard for the people who paved the way for me."
Hardaway will take the court tonight hoping to pave the way for a much-needed win.