Knicks rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley didn’t start in Wednesday night’s season-opener against the Pacers — but he was a candidate to finish.
Quickley, who became a preseason revelation and started at point guard in the preseason finale, was set to come off the bench as head coach Tom Thibodeau stuck with veteran point guard Elfrid Payton.
Thibodeau said Quickley would still be in his 10-man rotation, indicating he could finish the game. The former Kentucky stud added electricity and outside shooting, the latter a major weakness of Payton’s.
“I think it’s a compilation of things,” Thibodeau said when asked why Payton would start. “It’s how things have gone in practice, the games, the way groups play with each other. And starting has never been as important as finishing for me. We’ll be looking at the different combinations, the guys that are playing well, performing well, they’ll be the guys that are out there.
“We have young guys that will continue to improve. We have the right veterans around them that can help teach the young guys the tricks of the trade. So we’re counting on everyone.’’
The only other surprise with the starting unit was Reggie Bullock getting the call over Alec Burks at shooting guard. Burks missed the final two games for personal reasons as his wife gave birth.
Thibodeau said Bullock gives the club a little more 3-point shooting at the outset but the coaching staff has fallen for Burks, their top free-agent signing.
“I like both guys and they both have strengths that complement each group,’’ Thibodeau said before the game. “And I’m not sure yet if we’ll flip it again. But both guys are very effective with the starters and both guys are very effective with the bench. Both have a strong defensive presence. I think Alec is very good off the dribble and has playmaking capabilities. So I think that’s a good complement for that group. But we’re still sorting through that. Of course Reggie gives us the added shooting that we need to open up the floor and terrific defense.”
The starting frontcourt of RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson was expected. Robinson didn’t start last season as Taj Gibson’s caddie, but he excelled in starting the last two preseason games over Nerlens Noel, who was troubled by a knee injury. Robinson came on strong and didn’t register a foul in the preseason finale as Noel, a key free-agent signee, sat.
“Both guys had very good camps,’’ Thibodeau said. “Nerlens got nicked up a little bit so he sat out the last two. But we had very strong play from both guys. Mitch is really working hard in practice and growing.’’
On the second day of the regular season, the Rockets-Thunder game Wednesday night was postponed due to COVID-19 when the Rockets couldn’t dress enough players when several had to quarantine because of contact tracing.
“I’m very concerned,’’ Thibodeau said. “Obviously it’s serious and we know that. I think we’re fortunate with the Knicks with Dr. [Lisa] Callahan and [trainer] Roger [Hinds] in taking every precaution and making sure everyone is following all the protocols. But I am very concerned. I look at the numbers every day and I think we’re all concerned about that and do what we can to make sure we keep it as safe as we possibly can. Safety has to come first.’’
The Knicks are scheduled to open their home schedule Saturday against the Sixers.
