As soon as seen as untouchable with the Knicks, Quentin Grimes will now return to Madison Sq. Backyard in opposition colours.
Grimes, now with the Pistons, is ready for a crack at his previous aspect when the 2 groups conflict Monday evening, his first time taking part in towards the Knicks since they traded him to the Pistons together with Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono and two second-round picks in change for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks simply forward of the commerce deadline.
Grimes was battling a knee sprain when he was traded and missed his first eight video games with the Pistons, however he made his debut Saturday evening in a 112-109 loss to the Magic.
“I felt good,” Grimes instructed reporters after the sport. “Me coming off an damage and never taking part in that a lot, you gotta get that recreation out the best way. Everyone is aware of what I’m able to and what I do, so I’m not even apprehensive about that.”
He drew reward for his protection however struggled together with his shot, ending with 5 factors on 2-for-8 taking pictures from the sector and 1 of 5 from 3-point vary, together with two rebounds, 4 assists, two steals and a block.
“His tenacity, getting over screens and staying in entrance of the ball,” Pistons coach Monty Williams stated. “As soon as he figures out what we’re doing in actual time — you are able to do all that stuff in walk-throughs and apply however within the recreation it’s a bit completely different — I like what he brings to the desk.”
The Knicks acquired Grimes, who was drafted with the No. 25 decide by the Clippers in 2021, together with a second-round decide by a draft-day commerce that despatched No. 21 decide Keon Johnson to Los Angeles.
Grimes rapidly emerged as one of many crew’s most-promising kids attributable to his 3-and-D means, and The Put up’s Stefan Bondy beforehand reported that the Knicks refused to entertain together with Grimes in any negotiations with the Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell final offseason.
He struggled this yr, nonetheless, and can quickly discover himself within the visiting locker room at his previous stomping grounds.
After his popping out celebration as a Knick, Bogdanovic rapidly got here proper again all the way down to Earth.
Bogdanovic scored 22 factors on 8-for-13 taking pictures from the sector and an ideal 6 of 6 from 3-point vary throughout the Knicks’ 110-96 win over the 76ers on Thursday.
However he struggled mightily throughout the crew’s 116-102 loss to the Celtics Saturday evening, scoring simply eight factors on 2-for-7 taking pictures from the sector and 1 of 4 from behind the arc.
Having misplaced 5 of their final six video games, the Knicks’ upcoming schedule supplies some respite. The Knicks are projected by ESPN to be favored in 9 of their subsequent 10 video games.