DALLAS — The spectacular rookie season for Quentin Grimes is just not over.
And if there’s nothing else to take from this downbeat Knicks season, Grimes has flourished as a strong two-way capturing guard representing a bit for the long run.
In the primary recreation out of the All-Star break, on Feb. 25 versus Miami, Grimes’ knee buckled whereas he was shifting by means of a display screen, and was helped off by teammates.
No schedule was set for his return after the Knicks introduced a dislocated proper knee, however Grimes is progressing rapidly, is capturing and working, and sure can be cleared for his first contact apply Tuesday. Perhaps he can be again in 10 days or so.
“It was my first harm that I’ve been sidelined for greater than every week,’’ Grimes stated in his first remarks for the reason that harm. “So it was loopy when it occurred, however it wasn’t as unhealthy as all people thought it was. I believe I used to be taking part in a little bit too arduous, and I similar to dislocated a little bit bit and it went proper again in and I rolled over.’’
Grimes received’t see the replay out of worry.
“They instructed me what it regarded like, so I didn’t wish to see it,’’ Grimes stated. “I felt it. It was on the facet of my knee. Then it got here again in after I rolled over. So fortunately it wasn’t too unhealthy.’’
Last March, Grimes led the Houston Cougars to the NCAA Final Four, the place they misplaced to eventual-champion Baylor. Now he’s simply attempting to get again in time to complete the season on the courtroom.
“It’s powerful. You can see how a lot my minutes went up, how a lot I used to be on the ball,’’ Grimes stated. “But as you is usually a good teammate, attempt to push to get these wins and get into the play-in proper now if we are able to.’’
The twenty fifth decide within the draft, acquired by way of a commerce with the Clippers, entered coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation in December. The coach has relished his fireplace on each ends and his 3-point capturing. In 40 video games, Grimes is averaging 6.3 factors and capturing 39.8 % from deep.
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“Yeah, I undoubtedly really feel like [I’m a different player],’’ Grimes stated. “Every recreation I study extra about myself, in regards to the staff, what Thibs desires from me. I really feel like each recreation I’ve performed I’ve discovered extra, even when it’s a foul factor. Just studying from that, watching movie.’’
Thibodeau already is utilizing a younger backup guard tandem of Immanuel Quickley and rookie Miles McBride.
Getting again Grimes ought to solely add to the youth motion whereas the Knicks desperately attempt to keep within the play-in event race — 4 ¹/₂ video games out of the tenth seed.
“He’s shifting round, he’s getting nearer, coming alongside properly,’’ Thibodeau stated. “He’s an exceptional employee, and also you gotta give him loads of credit score. He’s a fierce competitor. [Contact] would be the subsequent step, however [he is] doing all the things else. So far there’s no points.
According to a supply, the Knicks will lean on the facet of warning and received’t rush him. Grimes hasn’t circled a date on his calendar for a primary recreation again. But there probably can be one.
“I simply wish to come again and play,’’ Grimes stated. “I like taking part in, love hooping. I wish to go on the market and do no matter I can to assist the staff win. If which means coming again and doing what I received to do.’’
That fateful Friday when Grimes was injured, his brother, Tyler Myers, a veteran defenseman for the Canucks, and his mom, Tonja, had been within the Garden stands.
Grimes and Myers are the primary brother tandem to play professionally within the NBA and NHL. They have totally different fathers, with Quentin rising up in Houston and Myers in Calgary. And on Feb. 27 they had been scheduled to play in the identical constructing on the identical day earlier than Grimes’ harm scuttled that huge household second.
As it could occur, Myers scored his first purpose of the season in that recreation in opposition to the Rangers.
“It was tough for them even to see [me get injured], just having them both be there,” Grimes stated. “It was a tough night for both of them. I went to the [hockey] game and everything. He scored his first goal of the season. That’s a real moment for everybody being there. That was my first hockey game since I was 10.”
