Immanuel Quickley offered a 12-minute mockery at the opening of the Knicks ’season in Indiana, and then came out with a hip pointer.
A week and a half later, when the Knicks returned to Indiana, the rookie keeper finally returned.
Quickley impacted instantly and finished with nine points in 15 minutes when the Knicks beat the Pacers, 106-102, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“A little rust, obviously, but overall very satisfied,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Good energy. He is seen to be intelligent in terms of fouls, very important ”.
After impressing in the preseason and then losing four games with the injury he suffered when he collided with Myles Turner on Dec. 23, Quickley demonstrated his ability to drive on the edge and draw fouls on the road, making three times in his first nine minutes in the first half. Team No. 25 overall also drained a triple.
“He’ll get his pace really fast,” Thibodeau said. “He is very talented, he is intelligent and he is a great worker. I love his attitude, I love his approach. For a long time he will be a very good player in this league ”.
Thibodeau picked up his first technical foul as the Knicks head coach with 5:33 left in the third quarter while arguing a foul on Julius Randle.
“We’re just trying to win,” Thibodeau said. “We are trying to protect each other, this is my job, to make sure we receive a good part of the calls.
“All we have to do to win: I don’t like to receive technical fouls and, without a doubt, I don’t want anyone to receive technical fouls in the fourth quarter. Therefore, they are difficult to make up, but I usually don’t have enough techniques ”.
Austin Rivers, who was playing in his second game of the season after being sidelined with a groin injury, drove to the edge of a bucket early in the second quarter before falling and sinking with head to the stick. He fell short for the next possession, but after holding his neck for a timeout, he remained in the game and finished with 15 points.
Veteran guard Alec Burks (left ankle sprain) missed his third straight game and still continues on a day-to-day basis, but “progressing well,” Thibodeau said.
Although Quickley’s return helped the Knicks lead, they were still abbreviated in position with Frank Ntilikina (right knee sprain) and Dennis Smith Jr. (left quad splashed) staying out.
Rookie striker Obi Toppin (tense right calf) and Omari Spellman (right knee pain) also continued to sit with injuries.