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5 Biggest Knicks questions ahead of rivalry rematch against Heat

By James Ryder

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks is guarded by Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks is guarded by Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes
Quentin Grimes, New York Knicks. (Photo by Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports) /

Does Quentin Grimes bounce back?

To end the regular season, Quentin Grimes was on an absolute tear shooting the ball. In the last 10 games, Grimes averaged 20 points on 54.6% shooting from the field and an absurd 48.4% from three.

Unfortunately, that hot stretch didn’t translate to the playoffs. In the three games Grimes appeared in prior to exiting the series with a shoulder contusion, he averaged just 3.7 PPG on horrendous shooting splits of 18.2% and 11.1% from the field and from three respectively.

To be fair to Grimes, he is a sophomore experiencing the first playoff basketball of his career. But, the Knicks will of course be hurting if he plays that poorly, and such performance would likely cause his playing time to diminish. The majority of Grimes’ shots were wide open as well, so there isn’t much excuse to shoot that badly as a player of his caliber.

Grimes will be back in the rotation from the start of the series with Miami, so can he bounce back? It all depends on how much Grimes allows the pressure of the moment to get to him. If he needs a boost of confidence, then he should look to his season stats against Miami.

This season, the Heat allowed Grimes to average 16.3 PPG, a FG% of 55, and a 3PT% of 50. Also, Grimes will likely be behind several Knicks in the scoring option pecking order and when it comes to shot opportunities in general. He isn’t under a ton of pressure to make a significant impact on offense, but regardless of if that can calm any jitters he has he must cash in on the open looks he does receive.

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