Feb 2, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks shooting guard Quentin Grimes is anticipated to rejoin the lineup for Sunday’s Game 1 of the second round against the Miami Heat, provided there are no setbacks, according to Tom Thibodeau.
Grimes sat out Games 4 and 5 of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a contused right shoulder, as reported by the Knicks. New York proceeded to win the series 4-1, advancing to the second round for the first time since 2013.
Grimes struggled in his first-ever playoff series. In the three games he played in Round 1, he averaged a mere 3.7 points and shot only 18.2% from the field and 11.1% from beyond the arc, while playing just over 20 minutes per game.
With his imminent return to the lineup, Grimes aims to improve his shooting in the upcoming series. The second-year player from Houston has delivered some of his finest performances against Miami. In four games against the Heat this season, Grimes averaged 16.3 points, four rebounds, and 2.3 assists, shooting 55% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
In other injury news, the Knicks announced on Saturday that All-Star forward Julius Randle is listed as questionable for Game 1 on Sunday.
Randle re-injured his left ankle, which he initially hurt before the end of the regular season, causing him to miss the last five games. He sustained the new sprain in Game 5 against the Cavaliers in Round 1.
Zach Braziller of the New York Post reported that Randle was taking jump shots at practice and seemed to be moving well. On Friday, SNY’s Ian Begley shared that Thibodeau stated Randle had also done some weightlifting and cardio in the pool.
Randle’s participation in Game 1 remains uncertain, but his involvement in any form of practice is an encouraging sign.
Randle hopes to stage a comeback in the series against Miami, as he averaged only 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds on a dismal 33.8% shooting from the floor. Randle’s most memorable moment came earlier this season against the Heat when he scored 43 points and hit the game-winning three-point shot, securing a 122-120 victory over Miami on March 3.
Follow this writer on Twitter: @DylanBacker_
This post was published on 2023-04-29 15:14
