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Immanuel Quickley records triple-double despite Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau

By Jordanna Clark

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 3: Guard Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound against the Orlando Magic during second half of the game at the Amway Center on April 3, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The Knicks defeated the Magic 118-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 3: Guard Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks grabs a rebound against the Orlando Magic during second half of the game at the Amway Center on April 3, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The Knicks defeated the Magic 118-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have officially been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but their end to the regular season has been a roller coaster. Between a four-game win streak and Immanuel Quickley’s triple-double on Sunday, fans haven’t completely been robbed of joy.

Entering the second half of a back-to-back against Orlando, New York had four games left to close out 2021-22. Nonetheless, Tom Thibodeau once again decided to start Alec Burks as the team’s starting point guard. That’s worked well thus far, right?

No one could control that Derrick Rose went down with an ankle injury in mid-December, but Thibodeau’s been relentless with having Burks play out of his position. Clearly, it hasn’t been a success.

Quickley’s in his second season with New York and both he and rookie Miles McBride deserved more playing time on the court as the point guard this season.

They’ve both gone through growing pains, but the Knicks have played without a true point guard for nearly four months now. And in Florida this weekend, Quickley showed that he can be that player.

Is Tom Thibodeau to blame for not starting Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley?

In the dominant 118-88 win over the Magic, Quickley finished with 20 points (8-of-19), 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in 34 minutes off the bench.

At 22 years and 290 days, the Maryland native is the second-youngest player in franchise history to notch a triple-double. What’s astonishing is that Quickley overcame that feat without being in the starting lineup.

This season, he’s played in 74 games (two starts) and is averaging 10.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in an average of 22.5 minutes. He’s shooting 38.9% from the field and 34.7% from the 3-point line.

I thought that Thibodeau had seen the light and was finally realizing that he should’ve been playing guys like Quickley, McBride, and Obi Toppin more frequently all year long. Although Quickley played in 30+ minutes, the head coach still doesn’t get it.

While watching the end of this year has been a welcomed surprise, it’s also been frustrating. I’m not insinuating that New York would be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but they’d be in a better spot than 12th place if Thibodeau’s stubbornness hadn’t gotten in the way.

With three games left on the schedule, it’s past time for Thibodeau to do the impossible and insert Quickley into the starting lineup, but even at this point in the season, that seems to be too good to be true.

The Knicks are likely going to enter the offseason in search of a point guard (again), but Quickley shouldn’t be shorted in the process. New York’s young core has a bright future and if Thibodeau is indeed back next year, he needs to fully comprehend that.

Quickley’s deserved better and moving forward, he deserves a fair shot. Please, Thibodeau, Knicks fans are begging you.

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