Before the meeting, Jalen Brunson insisted on the notion of “ trust “. And considered that he and the Knicks had to make sure that Quentin Grimes don't miss it. The message circulated well within the New York team.
In the first quarter of their trip to Boston, two minutes from the end, the Knicks leader was replaced by the fullback. This one, after 83 consecutive starts, since he had dislodged Evan Fournier from the five last year, came off the bench last night.
Barely arrived on the floor, he stood out. Julius Randle found him in the corner, open. The guard drew, just in front of his bench, and converted a 3-pointer. On the next possession, the same interior, after a good fixation at the post, again offered him an opportunity to shoot. Failed this time, but his great evening was still underway.
In 19 minutes, he contributed 13 points (5/10 on shots, including 3/7 from distance) and 2 assists. 13 points, or as many points recorded on his… last five outings in total. His performance comes a few days after he publicly complained about not being served enough and being sent to the bench at the slightest miss.
Tom Thibodeau convinced by the fit
But a discussion with Tom Thibodeau moved the lines. “ He made me understand that I needed to get into a better rhythm, that I try to play like I did last year. He felt it was the best thing to do and I agree with him. It's a good thing, I'll do whatever he wants me to do, really “, displays the 23-year-oldwhich halved its points average compared to last year.
He, who reached the mark of 10 shots attempted for only the third time this year, is visibly in favor of this idea of coming off the bench: “ I will definitely have the ball more often, knowing that I will have more opportunities. This may be a better situation for me. »
Replaced by an uninspired Donte DiVincenzo last night (6 points at 2/6 on shots), Quentin Grimes says he is ready to do “ whatever Thibs wants me to do to help the team win. He felt it was the best thing to do, so I'm doing whatever they expect of me at the moment. »
And the formula also convinced his coach. “ I think our bench played well, really played well. This group played well. Quentin played well, Josh (Hart) did a good job for us. Quick (Immanuel Quickley) was very good. Isaiah (Hartenstein) was great. That's why we finished the way we did », appreciated Tom Thibodeau despite the conceded defeat.
| Quentin Grimes | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 46 | 17 | 40.4 | 38.1 | 68.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 6.0 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 71 | 30 | 46.8 | 38.6 | 79.6 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 11.3 |
| 2023-24 | NYK | 18 | 23 | 35.9 | 34.5 | 66.7 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.8 |
| Total | 135 | 25 | 44.0 | 37.9 | 77.5 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 8.7 | |
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.
