Quentin Grimes, Donte DiVincenzo stand out in Knicks' preseason game against Celtics
New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Credit: Charles Krupa
It was the glitch in the NBA’s scheduling that forced Tom Thibodeau to leave five of his rotation players home in New York on Tuesday rather than play in a back-to-back set a week before the start of the regular season.
They would all be back in the lineup Wednesday night, albeit to discouraging effect, as the Knicks were pummeled by Washington, 131-106, as Jordan Poole poured in 41 points in 27 minutes. But there was an opportunity presented in Boston on Tuesday with Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart left out.
Quentin Grimes was in the lineup Tuesday night and rather than the secondary role he normally takes he was given the ball. In 26 minutes, Grimes attempted 12 three-point field goals — a total he topped just twice last season and both of those were games in which he played at least 43 minutes.
“Yeah, I feel like knowing those guys are out I’m going to have a bigger role offensively,” Grimes said after the game. “Just maximizing my opportunities. Going out there, knowing I’m going to have a lot of shots, opportunities to showcase for what I do out there. So I feel like it was another night to maximize my opportunities. I feel like I did that.”
He converted seven of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc and misfired on his only attempt inside the three-point line. And it wasn’t just shots that wouldn’t translate when the team’s primary scorers return. He fired quickly and often, and one time took former Knick Kristaps Porzingis off the dribble, shooting over him.
“Whatever your circumstances are you want to make the best of your circumstances,” Thibodeau said. “That’s what you’re looking for. So I thought he and Donte [DiVincenzo] got really good rhythm together and that was important.”
While it was a chance to showcase his shooting against an elite opponent, for Grimes the job remains on the other end of the court and that, too, is a place where getting an opportunity to pair with DiVincenzo is a positive. Grimes had the task of defending the opposing team’s best perimeter threat last season once he became a starter. In DiVincenzo, he has a player beside him — or relieving him — who has also developed a reputation as a defensive stopper.
“It definitely takes a burden off of my shoulders knowing I’ve got a guy who can come in and also shut down another guy,” Grimes said. “Definitely fun to have knowing I’m not the only one who’s going to have the toughest matchup. I know Donte’s coming in looking to shut the other team’s guy down. Fun to have it not be a drop-off. He’s coming in to get it done.”
“When you have guys that pride themselves on the defensive end it’s almost like a little pack in the NBA,” DiVincenzo said. “Talk to Derrick White, talk to Jrue [Holiday]. You talk to these guys throughout the league — ‘We’re playing so-and-so. Do you remember playing against him?’ In today’s NBA defense isn’t really the full focus. It’s an offensive game, a fast-paced game. So defensive guards, defensive wings, you take pride and pick each other’s brain.
“I think the great thing about Grimes] is he’s going to keep growing, he’s going to keep getting better.”
Notes & quotes: Immanuel Quickley was held out Wednesday. According to Thibodeau, he is “nicked up.” . . . The Knicks waived Isaiah Roby and Jaylen Martin. Both players are eligible for the G League, but the moves open up a two-way contract. Roby was on a non-guaranteed deal and Martin was on a two-way deal.
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.
