Quentin Grimes Impressing in 2nd Chance With New York Knicks' 2nd Unit

After a brutal start to his third season as a New York Knick, Quentin Grimes has found a bit of rhythm as a reserve.

Many a Christmas lesson has been learned when the protagonist gains not what they necessarily want, but what they need.

Quentin Grimes might've picked up both. 

The third-year New York Knick was granted his Christmas wish early: after publicly expressing concerns with his role in the team's starting five, Grimes has flourished in a reserve role.

Being moved to the Knicks' bench after 83 starts over the last two seasons has been anything but a demotion for Grimes. Over the last two games, the third-year man has rediscovered his offensive spark to the tune of a combined 32 points on over 57 percent from the field while Donte DiVincenzo appeared in his established spot in the opening five.

The transition appears to have restored Grimes' confidence after a brutal start to the season. Grimes himself claims to have embraced the relaxed, loosened nature of coming off the bench as compared to the undeniable buckling pressure of having his name introduced over the Madison Square Garden public address system before tip-off.

“I’m just out there playing free, really," Grimes said as the Knicks prepared to embark upon a five-game road trip, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post. "Everybody sees it, just from me going out there, playing with guys trying to get me open shots. It’s easy and fun playing out with the second unit for sure.”

Grimes has flourished in a new role off the bench / Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Grimes has been one of the Knicks' most curious homegrown stories: after arriving as the 25th overall pick of the 2021 draft, he struggled to break into the Knicks' rotation during his rookie season. Knicks management, however, was high on his potential, reportedly keeping him out of hypothetical high-profile trades for name-brand talents like Donovan Mitchell.

The shooting guard rewarded his supervisors' faith by becoming a staple at shooting guard, usurping Evan Fournier and Cam Reddish in the opening lineup. New York went 40-26 when Grimes started, as he brought a new layer of outside shooting and defense to the table. This season, however, was a struggle: a wrist injury that cost him two games didn't help but Grimes has averaged a mere 2.3 points on a brutal 17.9 percent success rate from the field in his prior seven before the switch. 

Grimes vented after the Knicks' one-sided loss to Milwaukee in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinal round, where he took only one shot and played less than 10 minutes in the second half. He switched places with the similarly skilled DiVincenzo when the Knicks landed a consolation game in Boston last Friday night and rediscovered his offensive footing to the tune of a 13-point showing on 5-of-10 from the field. 

“(Head coach Tom Thibodeau) kind of let me know to try to get me a bet­ter rhythm, get me in a bet­ter flow, try to get me how I was play­ing last year,” Grimes said on Friday, per Stefan Bondy of The Post. “He felt like it was the best thing to do and I agree with him. It’s a good thing.”

The plan was fully realized during Monday's shootout victory over Toronto: Grimes scored 19 points through a 5-of-7 effort from three-point range in the 136-130 triumph. The last three put the Knicks (13-9) up by seven with just under four minutes remaining and more or less placed momentum firmly on their side to close things out. Grimes' season-best showing in scoring was especially valued with fellow backup backcourt threat Immanuel Quickley sitting due to knee soreness.

With Grimes, the Knicks now have an experienced player who has multiple years in Thibodeau's system under his belt, as well as one who can gel with the starters if/when New York opts to mix and match. On a personal level, Grimes appears to have regained control of his professional narrative through newfound confidence.

Quentin Grimes Disgruntled With Thibodeau, Knicks Role?

“It’s just I’m touching the ball more, that’s really all it is," Grimes said in Braziller's report. "I know I’m going to get my shots up with the second unit, really all it was, just getting in a rhythm, just getting the touches, getting the ball in my hands and getting more comfortable, playing free out there. Got to keep building, keep stacking game after game.”

The next opportunity to do so lands on Wednesday night when the Knicks open a five-game road trip against the Utah Jazz (9 p.m. ET, MSG).