With RJ Barrett and Alec Burks both out, Quentin Grimes got a start at shooting guard and lit up Madison Square Garden on a Sunday night — hitting 3 after 3 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to bring the Knicks back from a 21-pt deficit to within 9 points in the 3rd. But Milwaukee was just too overpowering and pulled away to the win.
1. Knicks Shorthanded
RJ Barrett was out due to COVID protocols, as was Obi Toppin. Alec Burks was out due to personal reasons — his wife just delivering their newborn child.
Milwaukee was near full strength — with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton both in uniform, and Jrue Holiday leading the backcourt.
2. Portis Revenge Game
Former Knick Bobby Portis started at center for the Bucks and played with FIRE from the start. It looked like he was getting revenge on the Knicks again — every time he plays NY he seems intent on that.
At the start of the 3rd, announcer Mike Breen commented, “Bobby Portis is playing with as much confidence as we’ve ever seen him” — as Portis hit another 3 to make it Milwaukee 69 NY 53.
3. Grimes Heroic
The Knicks fell behind by 21 in the 1st quarter but then battled back on the 3-pt shooting of Grimes. He finished with 27 points on 9-17 shooting — 7-13 from 3.
Our tweet late in the 3rd captured the spectacle:
Grimes 3
Grimes 3!
Fournier 3 !!
Knicks down by 10
But Rodney Hood with a 3 just before the half
Debbie Downer
Knicks down 13 at the half— Knicks.City (@knickcity) December 12, 2021
The rook is cooking 🔥@qdotgrimes with 3️⃣ threes in a row. pic.twitter.com/iwewUWsexn
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 12, 2021
4. Knox Looked Good
With Obi Toppin out, Kevin Knox was first man off bench and he played great. He hit his pretty, high-arcing, accurate 3, looked good on drives to the basket, and showed his improved defense and motor. He had 18 points (5-12 from 3) in 29 minutes.
Knox knockin' em down 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ixZgoDerKJ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 12, 2021
5. Randle Distributed
Julius Randle only took 9 shots on the night — he mostly distributed the ball — especially to Grimes, Derrick Rose (18 pts on 8-16 shooting) and Kevin Knox.
Mitchell Robinson played a strong game off the bench with 9 points on 4-5 shooting and 8 rebounds in 18 minutes. Nerlens Noel played 28 minutes and had 6 rebounds and a block but 0 points. Noel has had some back trouble recently.
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