Knicks' Quentin Grimes cleared to play for first time this season
Knicks guard Quentin Grimes reacts after his three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Since the start of training camp Tom Thibodeau has sung the praises of second-year wing Quentin Grimes, raising expectations that he would be a major contributor for the Knicks and maybe even displace Evan Fournier from the starting lineup. But since the start of training camp he has been sidelined for all but one brief appearance in the final preseason game.
But Grimes, who has been battling what the team called a sore left foot, finally was cleared to play for the first time in the regular season Wednesday, making his way through a full practice with no ill effects. What that would mean for his place in the rotation remains to be seen and Thibodeau wasn’t giving it up before the game.
Grimes played the final 4:38 - entering with the Knicks down 19 - and was scoreless with an assist.
“Obviously, he missed a lot of time,” Thibodeau said. “So he’ll be situational to start . . . [His health] was the big thing, just to make sure that after each day, each step that he had taken, there were no setbacks the next day. So he went through that. He’s feeling good. So now we just got to work on his timing.”
While Grimes had bright moments as a rookie he was limited to 46 games last season. But Thibodeau has called him the best perimeter defender on the team and said that no one worked harder than him. Add in his three-point shooting ability and there are high expectations.
“Two-way player. Very competitive,” Thibodeau said. “I think shooting the three, but his ability to guard really three and sometimes four positions [is his skill]. But he’s a fierce competitor, and we need that.
“if your matchup is [defending] a guy off the dribble, he’s good at that. He’s also very good at catch-and-shoot, locking and trailing people, staying attached. So he’s got great feet, he’s got anticipation, he’s got strength, so I think that’s what makes him such a good defender. He doesn’t take any plays off. Full speed all the time.”
Reddish reunited
The return of Grimes could signal a decrease in playing time for Cam Reddish — who was a lottery pick for the Hawks three years ago before asking to be traded last season.
“Cam has a lot of potential,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “He’s a wing that can play the two and three, shoots the ball and defends the ball. I think he fits into the style of play as far as defensively. He takes pride in defending and he takes a challenge. I think Thibs likes guys like that. It’s all about opportunity. They have a lot of players, really good players. Far as what I see he’s getting an opportunity and he’s trying to make the most of it.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
