NBA Notes: Suns, Jalen Green, Nuggets, Tim Hardaway Jr., Spurs

Suns

Help appears to be on the way. Guard Jalen Green, who has been limited to just two games this season due to a lingering right hamstring strain, is nearing a return.

Green hinted as much this week by replying to Devin Booker’s Instagram story with a simple, “we right there,” signaling that his comeback may not be far off.

Phoenix has already been one of the season’s surprises, opening 24-15 after entering the year with a modest 31.5 over/under win total at ESPN Bet, writes ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Getting Green back would add another backcourt option as the Suns look to keep pace in a crowded Western Conference race.

Nuggets

Few signings have paid off more quietly than Tim Hardaway Jr. on a veteran’s minimum deal. Hardaway is averaging 13.8 points while posting career bests across the board, including 46.3 percent shooting overall and 41.4 percent from three-point range.

A significant chunk of that production has come courtesy of Nikola Jokic, with the league’s assists leader setting up 18.7 percent of Hardaway’s made baskets. Still, Hardaway has proven he’s more than a byproduct of Jokic’s brilliance.

Since Jokic went down with a knee injury, Hardaway has averaged 16.7 points while shooting 42.6 percent from deep, helping Denver stay afloat, per ESPN.

Spurs

The grind is showing. Guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and rookie Dylan Harper have all struggled in recent games as the Spurs push through one of the league’s most demanding travel stretches.

By Christmas Day, when San Antonio knocked off Oklahoma City, the Spurs had already logged more than 13,000 miles, spending 26 of 34 days on the road. January didn’t offer much relief, opening with three straight back-to-back sets.

A break is coming. Until then, San Antonio’s challenge is simple — keep fighting and hold its position near the top of the West while the schedule finally begins to ease.