D'Angelo Russell wasn't the only playmaker to return during this game. While the former Lakers player made his debut (again) with the Nets, Immanuel Quickley returned to the Raptors after a month and a half in the infirmary due to an elbow injury.
Starting after 22 missed matches, the 25-year-old had a direct impact on the Canadiens' game. “ The intensity he brought to both ends of the pitch was great. It’s something we’ve been lacking, something we need. His creation, his ability to get into the paint, his shooting… We needed that, his leadership. He was incredible in communication throughout the game tonight “, compliments Scottie Barneswho particularly enjoyed playing more without the ball.
His teammate wore the leather for most of the time with complete efficiency. Goes over the shoulder for an “alley-oop” towards Barnes, good shifts to find his shooters in the corner, assured transmissions on the “pick-and-roll”… Quickley got closer to his record in career with 15 balls delivered, for only one ball lost.
“ He has a lot of qualities, but he is a playmaker. When he carries the ball on the floor, he calls the systems spontaneously, recognizes situations… He is my extension on the pitch when he plays », Describes his coach Darko Rajakovic.
“A culture of joy”
A playmaker who, like in New York, maintains a good appetite for scoring. Last night, he reached his first double-double of the season with 21 points (7/16 on shots including 3/7 from distance). After a 3-point shot from the logo, to give his team a 20-point lead in the 4th quarter, we saw him jumping with pleasure to celebrate, big smile on his face, with the Scotiabank Arena and his bench.
“ We are trying to build a culture: a culture of winning, enthusiasm, joy and altruism. I think it comes from there. The guys are really happy when others play well and they win more, which is the most important thing “, let go of the leader whose team had not won since December 3, i.e. 11 defeats in a row.
With his return alongside Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett (absent against the Nets), the Raptors hope to regain enthusiasm and some victories. “ Sometimes we make efforts and we don't see the results directly. We must continue to do it on a daily basis, that's what this group, this coaching staff and I do. So we're going to turn things around, that's for sure. I can't wait for the rest of the year “, displays the ghost.
| Immanuel Quickley | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 64 | 19 | 39.5 | 38.9 | 89.1 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 78 | 23 | 39.2 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 11.3 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 81 | 29 | 44.8 | 37.0 | 81.9 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14.9 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 68 | 29 | 43.4 | 39.5 | 85.3 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 17.0 |
| 2023-24 * | TOR | 38 | 33 | 42.2 | 39.5 | 84.1 | 0.3 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 18.6 |
| 2023-24 * | NYK | 30 | 24 | 45.4 | 39.5 | 87.2 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 15.0 |
| 2024-25 | TOR | 4 | 25 | 39.7 | 39.1 | 92.3 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 16.8 |
| Total | 295 | 25 | 42.1 | 37.5 | 85.8 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 13.7 | |
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.
