Rookie wing Quentin Grimes is the latest Knick to clear the health and safety protocols after RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin, the team announced Thursday.
It’s welcome news for the New York Knicks that will seek a second straight win against the Bradley Beal-less Washington Wizards at the Garden.
Beal is the latest NBA player to enter the health and safety protocols shortly after the Knicks announced that Grimes rejoined the team. Beal averages 22.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists against the Knicks. He joined Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the health and safety protocols. But despite their absence, the Wizards are still formidable with Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, and Montrezl Harrell.
Both teams are coming off victories but have lost seven of their last 10 games.
Last Tuesday, New York opened their three-game homestand with a 105-91 rout of the lowly Detroit Pistons. On the other hand, the Wizards beat the Utah Jazz, 109-103, last Saturday to snap a three-game skid.
Meanwhile, it is unclear how much playing time Tom Thibodeau would give Grimes, Barrett, and Toppin as the Knicks are currently stacked even after losing Derrick Rose for eight weeks due to ankle surgery.
The Knicks recently signed Danuel House, Jr. to a 10-day contract via the hardship exception rule. House appeared 16 games for the Houston Rockets before he was waived. He fielded calls from the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and the Los Angeles Lakers before signing with the Knicks, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
A 3-and-D specialist, House averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over five seasons with the Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and the Wizards.
Currently, the Knicks have 15 available players on their roster: Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Alec Burks, Grimes, Toppin, Taj Gibson, two-way player Jericho Sims and 10-day contract signings House, Tyler Hall, Matt Mooney, and Damyean Dotson.
Immanuel Quickley, Kevin Knox, Miles McBride, and Nerlens Noel remain in health and safety protocols.
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