The Knicks now have three players in COVID-19 protocols as rookie shooting guard Quentin Grimes has been ruled out Tuesday vs. the Warriors.

Grimes is coming off a breakout 27-point performance Sunday vs. Milwaukee when he hit a rookie record seven 3-pointers in his first career start. Knicks power forward Obi Toppin, who previously had the hot hand, was put into protocols Saturday night and missed the game against the Bucks.

RJ Barrett was put into protocols Sunday morning and was also absent. Alec Burks, who missed the Bucks game due to personal reasons, is expected back.

The players need two negative tests 24 hours apart to return before the ten-day maximum. The Knicks had come off a road trip to Indiana and Toronto. Both clubs were also hit with COVID-19.  

If the Knicks are missing all three players vs. the Warriors, it might finally give Tom Thibodeau impetus to play point guard Kemba Walker, a DNP-CD the past seven games since his demotion. The Knicks are 1-6 in that span and are 12-15 overall.

Grimes could have been a candidate to defend Stephen Curry on Tuesday as he’s known for his defense more than his offense. That assignment may go to Burks. Curry is  one 3-pointer shy of tying Ray Allen’s all-time record of 2,973 treys.