Knicks SL Squad Stumbles in Sin City

Quentin Grimes is averaging 24.0 points, 4.3 assists and 4.0 boards through three games. The only player to average at least 24/4/4 in Las Vegas last year was Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey.

After two dominating performances to open up the 2022 Summer League session, the Knicks suffered their first defeat Monday night, falling to Portland.

New York started the game on fire, using their suffocating defense to jump out to a 13-0 lead for the second straight contest. And they were up 26-13 late in the first quarter. However, the Blazers took control in the second and closed out the victory with a solid final frame. The Knicks were playing on the second night of a back-to-back and looked visibly fatigued in the fourth quarter.

On the bright side, Quentin Grimes was once again undisputedly the best player on the court. He poured in 24 points (on 9-of-17 shooting) to go along with four rebounds, one assist, three steals, three 3-pointers and four turnovers.

Miles McBride chipped in 16 points, four assists, three steals and two 3-pointers but was inefficient from the floor, converting just six of his 14 field goal attempts (2-of-8 from downtown). Feron Hunt tallied 12 points, four boards and four dimes. Encouragingly, he also knocked down two three-pointers. If Hunt can improve his stroke and develop into a league-average three-point shooter, the Knicks might have something. Due to his exceptional length and athleticism, he's a reliable jumper away from being a legit 3-and-D rotation wing.