New York Knicks, second-year wing Quentin Grimes, is continuing to provide a tremendous impact for New York, scoring 16 points and hitting four three-pointers in their 112-108 road victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Grimes’ impact on both sides of the floor are contributing significantly to the Knicks’ 12-5 record over their last 17 games, bringing on his elite marksman shooting and tenacious defense.
He is a big reason as to why the Knicks are also currently ranking high in the NBA for offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating.
In that aforementioned 17-game stretch, the Knicks are averaging 113.6 points per game, which is a higher mark than the Bucks, Suns, Clippers, Cavaliers, and Heat.
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New York has also hit 37% of their three-point attempts over that span. Since December 4th, Grimes himself is shooting an elite 40.2% from deep.
The Knicks have been getting incredible value out of Quentin Grimes:
Grimes’ quick, confident scoring abilities have jolted the Knicks’ offense into a juggernaut, especially when playing alongside high-volume scorers like Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett. His contributions have helped transform the Knicks into one of the better three-point shooting teams in the league.
On the defensive side of the ball, Grimes’ 110.4 defensive rating over the team’s last 17 games ranks fourth out of the main rotation players on the Knicks (minimum 10 games played) and is the best among the team’s guards.
Grimes brings tremendous pressure on opposing teams’ perimeter players, and as a result of that, the Knicks have allowed the least amount of opponent points per game in the entire NBA over their last 17 games, giving up just approximately 104 points per game.
With that perimeter pressure, the Knicks have also been able to contain opposing teams from knocking down three-point shots, which killed them through the early parts of the season. In their last 17 games, the Knicks have allowed the lowest three-point percentage to their opponents in the NBA at just 31.8%.
His defensive impact on the perimeter has helped the Knicks achieve the NBA’s second-best defensive rating over their last 17 games, owning a 109.5 mark, and only the Memphis Grizzlies possess a better defensive rating in the league.
With the impact he is providing all-around, the Knicks are getting some great value out of him and have turned him into a key asset going forward as they look to build a contending team. Making him the full-time starter was one of head coach Tom Thibodeau’s best decisions this season, as it is paying dividends in a big way.
Grimes will look to continue his highly impactful play when the Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks back home on Monday.
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