Getty Quentin Grimes
After the New York Knicks lost a rough one to the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 13, fans and the media were left scratching their heads over the usage of guard Quentin Grimes, who played just eight minutes in the 145-135 loss.
“I’ll be honest,” said The Athletic’s Fred Katz, who covers the Knicks. “It’s my job to know and understand these things, but I just don’t totally get this Quentin Grimes situation. He’s available. He’s played today. He’s healthy. Couldn’t tell you why they’re not trying him on SGA,” a reference to Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led Oklahoma City with 37 points.
I’ll be honest. It’s my job to know and understand these things, but I just don’t totally get this Quentin Grimes situation. He’s available. He’s played today. He’s healthy. Couldn’t tell you why they’re not trying him on SGA.
Grimes, 22, had missed eight of the first 10 games of the season with a sore left foot. Since returning, he’s averaged eight minutes a game, leaving fans baffled.
“Quentin Grimes was ‘untouchable’ in trade talks for Donovan Mitchell this summer but Thibs plays him SEVEN minutes tonight vs the OKC Thunder,” wrote one fan in reference to the rumored offseason trade talks for Mitchell, the Utah Jazz star who eventually was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Quentin Grimes was “untouchable” in trade talks for Donovan Mitchell this summer but Thibs plays him SEVEN minutes tonight vs the OKC Thunder.
“I really don’t want to hear about the roster,” said another. “Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes and RJ Barrett all sat and watched Evan Fournier close a game in which he was the ONLY Knicks not to score.”
Barrett Is Benched in 4th Quarter
RJ Barrett, a starting guard whom the Knicks gave a four-year extension to in September, didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter, finishing with just 4 points on 2-of-10 shooting and no assists. Meanwhile, guard Evan Fournier, whose 6.9 points per game are his lowest since 2012-13 (his rookie season), played the entirety of the fourth quarter but missed all three of the shots he took.
Coach Tom Thibodeau explained his decision to bench Barrett, along with Jalen Brunson, after trailing 122-106 heading into the fourth quarter.
“We just got behind by so much,” he said, according to Mark W. Sanchez of The New York Post. “We were looking for life, and that group that was in there gave us a little bit of a spark, and so that’s what we went with.”
Fans have taken aim at Thibodeau’s decisions, with some already calling for his job after a 6-7 start to the season. Even though Thibodeau has been called “one of the foremost masterminds” when it comes to defense, the Thunder just put up the season’s highest score for a game and the Knicks are 22nd in the league in defensive rating.
Things Don’t Get Easier
From the looks of the schedule, games against the Thunder are expected to be on the easier side of things.
After blowing that opportunity, the next four games for the Knicks come against Utah, Denver, Golden State and Phoenix before facing off against Oklahoma City again.
This will be a good measuring stick at where the team stands, and if they plan on competing for a play-in spot, dropping all of the games would be a huge blow.
The Knicks currently find themselves holding onto the ninth seed at 6-7, so they are in line with expectations, but fans still expected them to be a bit better with Jalen Brunson running the show.