Knicks' Quentin Grimes questionable for Game 5 with shoulder injury
CLEVELAND — The Knicks’ defense held up well without one of their top perimeter defenders, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t eagerly awaiting the return of Quentin Grimes.
The second-year starting shooting guard practiced Tuesday and was listed by the team as questionable for Wednesday’s Game 5 with a right shoulder contusion.
He suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Game 3 and missed Game 4.
Josh Hart started in Grimes’ place and played very well — notching 19 points, seven rebounds, two steals, two assists and played terrific defense on Cavaliers star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Miles McBride took Hart’s spot on the second unit and hit one 3-pointer in five minutes of playing time.
Grimes has struggled on the offensive end in this series, shooting 2-for-11 from the field in the first three games.
But he did ice Game 1 with two clutch free throws in the final seconds, and his defense is needed against Cleveland’s explosive perimeter attack.
Quentin Grimes is questionable to play for the Knicks in Game 5. NBAE via Getty Images
Jalen Brunson still won’t explain his 3-pointer celebration, in which he appears to sniff the webbing of his hand after making the long-range shot.
He did want to address his remarks to ESPN sideline reporter Lisa Salters after the Knicks’ Game 4 win, when he told her, “don’t worry about it.”
“The way I responded to Lisa came off a little arrogant on my part. So I apologize publicly to Lisa for that,” he said. “But it’s between me and my teammates, that’s it.”
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers NBA playoff series
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Obi Toppin presents some different challenges compared to Julius Randle. Toppin played almost the entire fourth quarter of Game 4 as Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau sat an ineffective Randle over the final 12 minutes.
“Their coverages change with Toppin. They were more aggressive and [presented] more shows on picks-and-rolls,” Bickerstaff said. “He plays out more in space and more in the corners, where Randle spends a lot of time in the slot area. So it puts your big guys in different positions on the floor.”
Obi Toppin celebrates during the Knicks’ Game 4 win. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Mitchell on his offensive struggles in Game 4, when he shot 5-for-18 and scored just 11 points in the Cavaliers’ loss:
“I’ve made the same shots I’ve missed. You’ve all seen it,” he said. “I just have to keep shooting and I’m pretty confident I’ll find it.”
Knicks reserve center Jericho Sims (sore right shoulder) was ruled out for Game 5.
Source: New York Post
