{"id":202272,"date":"2021-03-15T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T04:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/knicks-may-finally-start-immanuel-quickley\/"},"modified":"2021-03-15T07:00:51","modified_gmt":"2021-03-15T04:00:51","slug":"knicks-may-finally-start-immanuel-quickley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/knicks-may-finally-start-immanuel-quickley\/","title":{"rendered":"#Knicks may finally start Immanuel Quickley"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Knicks may finally start Immanuel Quickley<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

\n

Will an Immanuel Quickley grow in Brooklyn?<\/p>\n

With their shorthanded status at point guard, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has not ruled out giving Quickley his first NBA start at the point Monday in Brooklyn over the failing Frank Ntilikina.<\/p>\n

The Nets boast two Hall of Fame playmakers in Kyrie Irving and James Harden, but the Knicks are desperate with their top two point guards, Elfrid Payton and Derrick Rose, expected out Monday versus the Nets at Barclays Center.<\/p>\n

Ntilikina started Saturday\u2019s game<\/a> against Oklahoma City, but was yanked after 5:20 and didn\u2019t return until garbage time with 1:45 left. Quickley started the second half in Oklahoma City as the Knicks were a plus-20 in the final two quarters with the rookie steering the ship with aplomb.<\/p>\n

Thibodeau did not rule out tapp<\/a>ing Quickley as the starter over the Ntilikina after Sunday night\u2019s practice \u2014 a move for which the Knicks fan base has campaigned on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still not sure yet,\u2019\u2019 Thibodeau said. \u201cIt will be a game-time decision.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Playing with a sore groin, Quickley logged 33 minutes and scored 21 points with four assists and two steals on Saturday. He made 3 of 6 3-pointers.<\/p>\n

Most tellingly, Quickley earned Thibodeau\u2019s trust by getting the second-half start and playing doggedly on both ends, pressuring the ball. His shot selection was much-improved over last week\u2019s disaster in Milwaukee and he was a better organizer. Although not a playmaker, he does so many things to score with his 3-point shooting, his floater, his free-throw expertise and cleverness in drawing fouls.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it happens, it happens,\u2019\u2019 Quickley said. \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t, it doesn\u2019t. I\u2019m trying to bring energy to the game. I know that\u2019s what I\u2019m great at, encouraging my teammates. I just know my part.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Immanuel
Immanuel Quickley celebrates during a game last month.<\/figcaption>
AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Knicks have major point guard issues to sort out as Rose will miss his fifth straight game due to COVID-19 safety protocols. Across the past 10 days, Rose has had mixed COVID-19 test results \u2014 the first one being inconclusive. But he\u2019s in New York and should be close to a return.<\/p>\n

Payton is expected to miss his second straight game with a lingering right hamstring strain and Austin Rivers is still out on indefinite paternity leave, and also has been on the outs with Thibodeau.<\/p>\n

Thibodeau was effusive about Quickley\u2019s performance and the momentum may be leading to this start. Quickley\u2019s top advocate, senior vice president William Wesley, could also be pushing for this momentous occasion for the Kentucky product whom the Knicks took with the 25th pick in the draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been terrific all year the moment he got here,\u2019\u2019 Thibodeau said. \u201cHe\u2019s a student of the game, stays in the gym, learning every day. He\u2019s played well. He\u2019s added a lot to our team, particularly with our need for shooting, and gets into the paint. He\u2019s a gym rat. He\u2019s always asking questions and is a a great teammate.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n