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Interview with Knicks guard Quentin Grimes after big performance vs. Bucks

The Bucks beat the Knicks 112-97 on Sunday, but a bright spot for New York in the loss was the play of rookie guard Quentin Grimes, who in 40 minutes as a starter shot 9-of-17 from the field, including 7-of-13 three-pointers, for 27 points and three steals.

Here’s what Grimes said to the media after the game:

On if he could have dreamt of having such a big game in his first career start: “Not going to lie, I really didn’t. I found out about 90 minutes before the game started when we knew RJ [Barrett] couldn’t play that I was going to start. I just needed to keep my mind right and do it how I used to in college to prepare myself. It was definitely a surreal moment and I was just trying to soak it all in.”

On how the flow of the game was different being a starter: “It is just different when you start the game because you get into a flow a little bit. I felt like once I was out there and got into a flow, got up and down the court a little bit, I let my first shot go and I got comfortable. I felt like I was comfortable coming off of pick-and-rolls, pushing the ball, and with Thibs [Coach Thibodeau] he always preaches staying ready and he does a great job pregame every game of getting us ready, so I felt comfortable out there and it is a credit to him really.”

On what he learned today that will make him a better player moving forward: “I think that I can really play with these guys. They [Milwaukee] are the defending champs, they are not one of the lower seeds in the East, so I learned a lot more about myself going against the defending champs. I feel like I learned a lot about my game and I just need to keep improving day by day whether it is starting or coming off of the bench so that I can do what I can to help the team win.”

Rockets notes: Dec. 13, 2021

Some Houston Rockets team notes from the past week:

Over the past three games, Armoni Brooks is averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists… he has hit 11 3-pointers over that span and has the third-most 3FGM (97) through the first 42 games played of a career in NBA history.

Alperen Sengun has scored 10+ points in four of the past five games after doing so twice the eight games prior… he had a career-high tying 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks in 23 minutes of play at Memphis on 12/11, becoming the first player to have posted those numbers while playing 25 or fewer minutes since James Harden did so against the Grizzlies on 3/14/16.

The Rockets have shot 47.0% or better from the floor in six straight games for the first time in a single season since 3/16-3/27/14… Houston is 7-4 when outshooting its opponent this season.

Houston has outrebounded its opponent in six of the past 11 games after doing so five time the first 15 games of the season… dating back to last season, the Rockets are 18-12 when outrebounding their opponent.

Hornets guard Terry Rozier back from health and safety protocols

The Hornets are welcoming Terry Rozier back to action. Via the Charlotte Observer:

Instead of getting overly frustrated or bitter about his unexpected weeklong respite, Terry Rozier was quite the opposite.

Being sidelined in the NBA’s health and safety protocols gave the Charlotte Hornets guard a chance to take on a parenting role of sorts, keeping close tabs on the newest ones in the flock as they attempted to spread their wings while he was out.

“I’m like a proud dad watching the young homies hoop,” Rozier told The Observer on Monday. “So that’s how I felt — like a proud dad.”

Finally cleared and able to play again, Rozier rejoined his teammates just in time to begin their six-game road trip here against the Mavericks. He participated in morning shootaround and was his usual jovial self, which was surely a welcomed sight for the Hornets.

The Hornets are 15-13 this season, which is the 8th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Miles Bridges at 20.3 points per game, LaMelo Ball at 20.0 ppg, Rozier at 17.7 ppg, Gordon Hayward at 17.6 ppg and Kelly Oubre at 16.9 ppg.

Medical update: Zion Williamson remains out with foot injury

The New Orleans Pelicans released the following medical update on Zion Williamson:

“After experiencing persistent soreness in his right foot, Zion Williamson underwent medical imaging which showed a regression in the bone healing of his fifth metatarsal. As a result, the volume and intensity of his training will be reduced for an extended period to help allow for further bone healing.

Kings center Richaun Holmes undergoes eye surgery

Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes underwent a successful procedure today at Kaiser Permanente to repair a right eye laceration. The injury was sustained during the second quarter of Wednesday night’s contest versus Orlando.

Additionally, Holmes underwent concussion screening and was subsequently cleared of any concussive event.

Holmes will be listed as out for the team’s next two games at Charlotte and at Cleveland

Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum diagnosed with a collapsed right lung

Upon further examination, a CT scan revealed that Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has a pneumothorax (right lung), the team announced today. Per MayoClinic.org, a pneumothorax is a collapsed lung.

McCollum sustained the injury during the 4th quarter of Portland’s game versus Boston on December 4.

He will be further evaluated before a prognosis is determined and his status will be updated accordingly.

McCollum did not travel with the team for Wednesday’s game at Golden State.

In 24 games this season (all starts), McCollum has averaged 20.6 points (42.4% FG, 39.3% 3-PT, 70.0% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.08 steals and 35.3 minutes.

Rockets now on six-game winning streak

Some Houston Rockets team notes as the squad enjoys their current six-game winning streak:

Christian Wood has scored 20+ points in four of the past five games after doing so four times prior this season… he is averaging 19.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.8 bpg during the Rockets six-game winning streak.

Jae’Sean Tate has recorded 7+ assists in three of the past four games after not doing so prior this season and four times as a rookie in 2020-21… he is averaging 16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.00 spg and 1.00 bpg during Houston’s six-game winning streak.

The Rockets have won six in a row, which is the longest active winning streak in the NBA… Houston has also won five straight at Toyota Center for the first time since 12/16/19-1/11/20 and is 6-5 at home overall this season.

Houston is averaging 5.2 more 3-pointers made than opponents during the six-game winning streak… the Rockets are 7-3 when having more 3FGM than the opposition this season.

Knicks guard Kemba Walker remains benched

The Knicks are still finding their way this season. Via the New York Post:

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is not ready to make a Kemba Walker reversal, but said he won’t hesitate to make more changes if the losing continues.

Among other factors, Thibodeau said he doesn’t have “a big enough sample size.”

“If we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming,” Thibodeau said. “I want to make sure that — I do have respect for [Walker]. He’s part of the team and right now we have a rotation. He’s not in the rotation but he’s working in practice, he’s doing all the things he should be doing. As I mentioned before when I made that decision, I view Kemba as a starter.’’

Following the hideous 114-99 Garden rout by the Nuggets on Saturday, Thibodeau said there are two factors he looks at regarding decision-making: “Is the intensity part right? Is the execution part right?”

The Knicks are 11-12 so far this season. Their leading scorers are Julius Randle at 20.1 points per game, RJ Barrett at 14.0 ppg, and Evan Fournier at 13.3 ppg.