With 2 points on the clock at the break, he was well on his way to an anecdotal performance on the Blazers floor. But Jordan Hawkins decided to change his approach after going to the locker room.
« I was looking for my shots, I think I refused some shots that I should have taken in the first half. So I came back with an ultra-aggressive mindset in the second half. Like: ‘At the slightest space, I send’. I saw the first one come in, I was hot after that », he explains.
The shot in question came four minutes from the end of the third quarter. A shot behind the 3-point line in the corner, after an offensive rebound from Herbert Jones on a missed shot by the same Hawkins, from the same place. CJ McCollum did not hesitate for a second to serve his teammate again.
« He worked for these moments. He made some important shots for us, timely shots when we didn’t have the wind in our sails. Once his shot is in place, he can make four or five in a row », Warns his coach Willie Green.
This is precisely what happened last night. Jordan Hawkins chained 3-pointers and mid-range shots afterwards. To the point of scoring 22 of his 24 points (8/12 on shots including 4/7 from distance) in the second half.
Taking advantage of Zion’s gravity
« We expect no less from him. He had that confidence before he was in the rotation. […] He scored… 22 points in the second half. It’s huge for us, especially in a match like this where we are trailing most of the time », Remarks Zion Williamson, who delivered part of his 7 assists towards his shooter.
« With Zion’s pull and mine combined, one of us is going to get an open shot. If you try to take two Zion, I have an open shot ”, logically exposes the rear to the silky shooting mechanics. A fluidity that reminds its interior of a certain… “ Ray Allen ».
This connection between the two players with comparable physique, who attended the same University of Connecticut, has been mentioned for some time. “ Hawk is a very talented shooter. And I’m glad he’s with us! », breathes Zion Williamson, whose teammate shot 37% 3-point success during his rookie year (but 38% in general). This year, he is off to a strong start.
« I expect this kind of match for me. I’m not going to get too excited, the season is long, there are many other matches. I’m not going to jump for joy just because I had a good match. I worked too hard this summer », puts Jordan Hawkins into perspective to finish.
| Jordan Hawkins | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | NOP | 67 | 17 | 38.2 | 36.6 | 83.8 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 7.8 |
| 2024-25 | NOP | 2 | 28 | 57.1 | 53.8 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 18.5 |
| Total | 69 | 18 | 39.0 | 37.3 | 84.9 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 8.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
