New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau performed coy forward of Friday’s matchup in Boston, saying there “may very well be” lineup adjustments in retailer (X link through Steve Popper of Newsday).
Nevertheless, Fred Katz of The Athletic studies (via X) that Donte DiVincenzo will begin at capturing guard rather than Quentin Grimes. Stefan Bondy of The New York Publish confirms the information (X link).
It’s a noteworthy improvement for a number of causes. Grimes has been struggling recently, scoring simply 16 factors on 4-of-28 capturing over his final seven video games, and he expressed frustration along with his restricted function within the crew’s offense following Tuesday’s in-season event quarterfinal loss to Milwaukee.
“It’s simply laborious whenever you go the entire quarter with out touching the ball, the entire second quarter with out touching the ball, and then you definitely get one shot and you bought to make it,” Grimes stated. “So it’s robust going on the market and simply standing within the nook the entire sport. Then you definately obtained to make the shot whenever you shoot the ball one or two occasions per sport. It’s what it’s.”
DiVincenzo, alternatively, has been on a heater recently, averaging 11.4 factors whereas capturing 51.8% from three-point vary over his previous nine contests, together with a pair of begins when Grimes was injured. DiVincenzo was New York’s main offseason addition, signing a four-year, $50M contract to affix the Knicks in free company.
Grimes, 23, was the twenty fifth decide of the 2021 draft. Often called a strong defender, he averaged 11.3 factors, 3.2 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists on .468/.386/.796 capturing in 71 video games final season (66 begins, 29.9 minutes). In 2023-24, his numbers are down throughout the board, posting 5.8 factors, 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on .359/.345/.667 capturing in 18 video games, all begins (22.9 minutes).
A part of the rationale Grimes is taking part in fewer minutes is because of the crew’s crowded wing rotation, with RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Josh Hart additionally within the combine. And he’s not the one participant who has proven a stage of frustration with a decreased function – Hart made similar comments final week, although he made some extent to say he wasn’t a “disgruntled participant.”
It is going to be fascinating to see how the state of affairs unfolds. Maybe Grimes could have extra on-ball alternatives with the second unit, with Katz lately suggesting the third-year guard may look to be extra lively off the ball too.