Lots of the Knicks’ key gamers struggled to carry out at their standard degree within the staff’s 108-104 loss to the Boston Celtics, however Immanuel Quickley was one of many few vibrant spots in New York’s season opener.
Getting into a contract 12 months with the Knicks, Immanuel Quickley is already proving his price. Final Monday was the deadline for rookie extensions, and regardless of his breakout as one of many league’s finest sixth males the season prior, Quickley didn’t obtain a brand new deal from New York.
Quickley is now trying to improve his worth heading into restricted free company subsequent summer season, and he’s definitely gotten off to a robust begin.
In a recreation the place nearly all Knicks gamers struggled to attain effectively in opposition to the Celtics’ protection (or in opposition to the rim), Quickley scored 24 factors, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out 4 assists whereas capturing 7-11 from the sector and 5-7 from three.
It began within the second quarter when, down by 12 factors, Quickley hit a 3 to provide the Knicks some momentum. He continued to chip away at Boston’s lead, flattening one other three and a pair of free throws. It was a five-point recreation by halftime, which personally I used to be okay with, although the Knicks’ precise offensive play other than Quickley was painful to observe.
Transferring on to the third quarter, Quickley scored six factors however the Celtics have been nonetheless up 9 heading into the ultimate interval. However don’t fear; it didn’t take lengthy for that deficit to be erased. Quickley caught hearth, flattening two clutch triples and a floater. I do know Mike Breen wouldn’t have executed it until it was a game-winner, however belief me after I say I used to be yelling “bang” in my lounge.
This run gave the Knicks their first lead of the night time with two minutes remaining, however Boston would come proper again and win the sport attributable to some woeful free-throw capturing by New York and an incorrect flopping name on Jalen Brunson, which the refs later admitted was the incorrect name.
Immanuel Quickley is already proving worthy of a brand new deal from the Knicks
Whereas there’s a lot for Knicks followers to look again on from this recreation and be ashamed of (16 missed free throws!) Quickley’s efficiency ought to present some encouragement for what’s to come back this season.
I imply, give it some thought: the staff’s two finest gamers, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle, shot a mixed 11-for-43, and but it was nonetheless a four-point recreation in opposition to one of many league’s finest groups because of New York’s depth.
I get that it’s just one recreation and I shouldn’t overreact, however I’m going to anyway due to how spectacular Quickley was. He displayed that he may single-handedly generate offense when nothing else was working, and Tom Thibodeau acknowledged this, conserving him within the recreation for your entire fourth quarter.
So long as Thibodeau continues to reward Quickley with the alternatives he deserves, which you’ll make certain Quickley will take full benefit of, IQ doesn’t have to be a starter to be one of many Knicks’ finest gamers and earn the deal he’s searching for subsequent summer season. Lengthy story quick, Leon Rose higher be ready to pay up.
Revealed on 10/27/2023 at 10:00 AM EDTLast up to date on 10/27/2023 at 10:00 AM EDT
