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The “We Want Quickley” chant began at the end of the first quarter as Sacramento prepared for a rare race.
With 2:44 left in the quarter, Immanuel Quickley was inserted into the game and he didn’t disappoint Garden’s second dizzying rally of the season.
Sparkling the Knicks with 18 points in the first half, Quickley led the offensive explosion in a 140-121 triumph over the Sacramento slump as the popular rookie point guard emerged from his recent collapse.
Quickley finished with 25 points, making 12 free throws.
Along with Julius Randle, Quickley even heard the vocals of “MV-P” on another merry night in front of 2,000 fans who seemed to be singing “De-fense” or whatever the night away.
The Knicks’ 140 points were a season high and this is only the second time they have collected that number in a non-overtime game since 1988. While it has come against the worst defensive team in the NBA, it was a big boon for a club that was the least productive team in the NBA offensively.
“I heard it on the bench,” Quickley said of the garden, chanting his name. “It was pretty funny. I laughed under my mask so no one could see my expression. It was pretty cool to have the whole crowd behind you and support you like that. I try to never be too high or too low. “
Randle, hearing the MVP sing a second straight game, mustered another bull-in-a-china-shop performance with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Alec Burks, mostly stacking in the fourth quarter, had 24 points, a season high.
The Knicks buried 19 of 36 from 3-point lands.
“We shared the ball, moved the ball, we trusted each other, made the extra pass,” said Quickley. “We took a big step forward with the attack. ”
Derrick Rose made his first start to the season at the point guard due to Elfrid Payton’s hamstring injury and added 18 points as the Knicks went one game under 0.500 at 16-17. The Kings (12-20) lost their ninth in a row, but who quibbles?
“Everyone really enjoys hanging out and playing with each other, helping each other play games, up and down,” Randle said. “We are a very united group.”
The Knicks racked up a 77-point first-half, 65.9% shot and dodged any charge from the Kings afterwards.
They almost hit 80 in that first half, but a 3-point desperation over Reggie Bullock’s buzzer was stirred because he stepped on the sideline. However, the Knicks already had plenty – a 77-63 lead.
Rose started the game with flair, going 5 for 5 in the first quarter and finished with 13 points in the first half. But the impatient and busy fans, with the Kings on an 11-0 run, began Quickley’s vocals.
When Quickley came in at the end of the first quarter, the Kentucky rookie got to work, immediately earning a 3 point. He drew, emptied a float and accumulated 18 points in 9:36. His spectacular free throw shot continued as he moved over 95 percent.
“He’s really smart,” said coach Tom Thibodeau. “He’s studying how he’s guarded. He’s such a good free throw shooter that we want as much as we can. ”
Quickley’s 3 for 22 fall in the previous three games has been shelved. As first announced by The Post, the NBA will not be holding the Rising Stars Challenge for top newbies and sophomores, but will be announcing an honorary team. Quickley practically sealed his place.
“It’s a long season,” said Thibodeau. “No player shoots well in 82 games. There are ups and downs. He handled it very well. He’s a great shooter, he has the ability to make mistakes. Everyone has a ton of self-confidence. We know he has a lot of self-confidence. It starts with preparation. He’s a gym rat and a student of the game. ”
In another slap in the face to Austin Rivers, Frank Ntilikina was put back into the rotation with Payton removed. Ntilikina, due to a sprained knee, COVID-19 protocols and his removal from rotation, had not played a game since December 29.
He didn’t look rusty and scored seven points and had three interceptions in 23:35. stole a ball from De’Aaron Fox to start a quick break and fed Quickley for a 3 point.
Coaches felt Quickley’s free throws early in the game gave him some relaxation.
“It’s always good to see them go down,” said Quickley. “Anytime I can get to the line it helps with the pace. It’s good to have easy kids to get off early. ”
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