Two vital Knicks reserves are heading into the season opener with unsure statuses.
Obi Toppin and Quentin Grimes have been each partial contributors in Monday’s apply, with coach Tom Thibodeau claiming he’s uncertain if both will probably be obtainable for Wednesday evening in Memphis.
Toppin turned his ankle after stepping on a fan within the preseason finale Friday at MSG. The accident occurred whereas Toppin ran alongside the sideline, reiterating two issues about NBA followers: the costly seats are actually shut and gamers must be spatially conscious.
However Thibodeau characterised Toppin’s ankle damage as minor. Grimes’ concern appears extra regarding. No less than extra complicated.
The defensive-minded wing sat most of preseason with a sore foot, however then returned absolutely to apply final week and logged 16 scoreless minutes in Friday’s preseason finale. Thibodeau wouldn’t characterize Grimes’ newest replace as a setback, however advised the 22-year-old remains to be feeling soreness in his left foot.
“The concept behind [Grimes sitting out practice] is to get to the purpose the place it doesn’t reoccur,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So if we've got to be a bit of bit extra affected person now, that’s what we’ll do. It’s an extended season, so get wholesome utterly. When that occurs, then we’ll transfer ahead. There’s no rush. He has to get again to a sure stage health-wise with what we’re doing. …It’s a effectively thought-out plan. Simply let it work its course.”
Grimes revealed after Friday’s recreation that the ache was round his left heel. He was noticed carrying a strolling boot earlier in coaching camp.
“It was a pair days and I used to be like, ‘Rattling, it’ actually hurts to stroll a bit of bit,’” Grimes mentioned.
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old mentioned he healed and was pain-free instantly after the sport. Thibodeau implied Monday that Grimes felt sore later.
“He bought to the purpose the place he bought to the video games,” Thibodeau mentioned. “There’s nothing you are able to do in practices that may get to the depth of the particular recreation. And even the preaseason video games aren’t the identical as an everyday season recreation. You need him to undergo these issues, see the place he's the subsequent day after which go from there. However that is all a part of getting again to taking part in.”
If Grimes is unavailable, it may open a chance for Cam Reddish, who struggled throughout preseason and hasn’t established Thibodeau’s belief. The coach may additionally tighten the rotation with extra minutes for Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett and/or Immanuel Quickley.
“We’ll see the way it unfolds,” Thibodeau mentioned. “We've loads of confidence in your entire group.”
So far as probably changing Toppin, Thibodeau floated taking part in small with Barrett or Reddish as energy forwards.
“We've that flexibility,” he mentioned.
BEST SHOCKER
Middle Mitchell Robinson earned Thibodeau’s reward because the “shock” in coaching camp. It’s an honor made extra particular by the robust competitors, together with three different starters – Barrett, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle – who dominated preseason.
“I’d say the shock has been Mitch. He’s grown leaps and bounds,” Thibodeau mentioned. “He’s performed a terrific job.”
New assistant coach Othella Harrington, who additionally performed for the Knicks within the early 2000s, has helped faucet into Robinson’s potential.
“There’s a terrific connection there,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Mitch deserves a bulk of the credit score for making the dedication to work with him. However Othella has been incredible for him.”
NO EXTENSION FOR CAM
Reddish will probably be a restricted free agent in the summertime after Monday’s deadline handed with out an extension.
It was the anticipated consequence after a supply informed the Day by day Information over the weekend that there was “no likelihood” for an settlement.
Nonetheless, it’s disappointing after the Knicks traded a first-round choose for the 22-year-old lower than a 12 months in the past.
Regardless of the commerce from Atlanta, Reddish by no means had a spot in Thibodeau’s rotation. He performed poorly throughout preseason whereas acknowledging the adjustment is “robust as s—t.”
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