Knicks: How Immanuel Quickley sparked NY’s comeback win

Immanuel Quickley: Passing

It might seem funny to lead with Quickley’s passing in a game where he finished with just one assist. Granted, it was perhaps the most important assist of the game:

But, his joyful, unselfish spirit is positively undeniable. You can see it refracting through his play, illuminating each of his teammates. Everybody gets some shine when Quickley is on the floor.

Take this stat, for instance: when Quickley was on the floor last night, the Knicks assisted on an astounding 77% of their made field goals, per NBA Wowy. Compare that to when Elfrid Payton was running the show when the Knicks assisted on just 50% of their made buckets.

Undoubtedly, part of it is that Quickley played alongside other ball movers, but there was a tangible difference in the Knicks’ offensive philosophy as soon as Quickley was inserted into the lineup. His energy and attitude invigorated the team which had begun to grow stale under Payton’s stewardship. His willingness to make the extra pass was contagious last night and the Knicks offense benefitted immensely as a result.