Quentin Grimes, once considered untouchable with the Knicks, will now return to Madison Square Garden in opposition colors.
Grimes, currently with the Pistons, will be the first player to play against the Knicks since he was traded to the Pistons along with Evan Fournier, Ryan Arcidiacono and two second-rounders after the teams clashed on Monday night. It’s my first time and I’m ready to make a crack at the old nest. Just before the trade deadline, they acquired the pick in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
Grimes was battling a knee sprain when he was traded and missed the Pistons’ first eight games, but he made his debut Saturday night in a 112-109 loss to the Magic.
“I felt good,” Grimes told reporters after the game. “I haven’t played much since coming back from injury, so I have to finish games. Everyone knows my abilities and what I do, so I don’t even worry about it.”
He drew praise for his defense, but struggled with his shooting, going 1-of-8 from the field and 1-of-5 from 3-point range for five points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals. , it ended up being just one block.
“His tenacity, getting through screens and staying in front of the ball,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “Once he understands what we’re doing in real time, he can do all the things in walkthroughs and practices, but in games it’s a little different. I like what he brings to the table. is.”
The Knicks acquired Grimes, who was drafted with the 25th pick by the Clippers in 2021, and a second-round pick in a draft-day trade, sending Keon Johnson, the 21st pick, to Los Angeles.
Grimes has quickly emerged as one of the team’s most promising young prospects due to his 3-and-D ability, and the Times’ Stephen Bondi previously reported that the Knicks were in talks with the Cavaliers to acquire Donovan Mitchell last offseason. It was reported that he refused entertainment, including Grimes.
But he has struggled this year and will eventually find himself in the visitors’ locker room at his old home.
After his coming out party as Nick, Bogdanovich quickly returned to Earth.
In the Knicks’ 110-96 win over the 76ers on Thursday, Bogdanovic had 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 from 3-point range.
But in the team’s 116-102 loss to the Celtics on Saturday night, they struggled, scoring just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field and 1-of-4 shooting from behind the arc. .
The Knicks’ upcoming schedule should give them some respite after losing five of their past six games. ESPN projects the Knicks to be favored in nine of the next 10 games.
