Knicks takeaways from Tuesday’s 126-121 OT loss to the Mavericks, including Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickley’s big nights

Dec 27, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (5) looks to pass over Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood (35) and Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center / Kevin Jairaj – USA TODAY Sports

Despite playing one of their best games of the season, the Knicks suffered another devastating loss in to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 126-121 on Tuesday night.

Immanuel Quickley had a double-double (13 points and a career-high 15 assists) in the win and Quentin Grimes made seven threes en route to a career-high 33 points. Doncic was just that much better with his 60 point, 21 rebound, and 10 assist effort.

Here are some takeaways..

– With Jalen Brunson out with a hip injury, Tom Thibodeau was forced to shake things up in the starting five. Quickley shifted in alongside Grimes, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Mitchell Robinson.

– Thibodeau’s depth was really put to the test right away, as Barrett also ended up being ruled out for night after suffering a hand laceration just two minutes into the game. Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride was given some early minutes off the bench.

Robinson got off to a great start against the smaller Mavericks lineup putting up seven points. Randle also got off to a nice start with ten points and seven rebounds, but he did pick up three early fouls.

After a bit of a slow start (2-for-9) the Knicks began to pick things up from behind the arc. Back-to-back threes from Grimes pushed the lead up to eight with about a minute remaining in the quarter.

However, Doncic was having his way with the smaller McBride. He scored half of the Mavs points in the quarter (16) and the Knicks lead was down to just two, 30-28, after the first.

– The teams were letting it fly from downtown and traded baskets to open up the second quarter. Christian Wood was getting it done for Dallas with Doncic on the bench. However, threes from Grimes, McBride, and Randle helped push the lead up to as much as nine.

Dallas again pushed back, but New York had a strong finish to the first-half and led 63-55 at the break. Doncic (22 points) and Randle (16 points, 10 rebounds) led the way for both teams. Quickley put up 11 assists in 22 minutes, Grimes popped four threes, and Robinson had nine points. Dallas shot just 7-of-24 from behind the arc at the break.

Story continues

– As Dallas has done all season, they came out with a strong start to the third quarter. A 9-3 run cut the lead down to two early on. However, Randle and Grimes answered right away to help the Knicks get back on track.

Despite Doncic dropping 13 more points in the third, pushing his total to 35, New York led by 10 heading into the final frame. Quickley, Robinson, and Randle all had double-doubles and Grimes tied his career-high with 27 points.

– The Mavs came out with a 13-5 run to start the quarter, and a Spencer Dinwiddie three cut the lead back down to four, forcing Thibodeau to call a timeout. However, with four minutes remaining Quickley drilled his first three of the game to push the lead back to nine.

Some turnovers and costly mistakes over the final minute allowed Dallas to cut the lead down to three. After McBride hit a clutch free throw, Dinwiddie drilled a three to again make it a one point game.

McBride was again sent to the line and hit two more clutch free throws. The Knicks then fouled Doncic, after hitting the first one he missed the second on purpose, but somehow grabbed the offensive rebound and layed in the putback to even things up at 115 and send the game to overtime.

At the beginning of the overtime period, Dallas took their first lead since the third quarter. The Knicks free throw struggles late in games continued, as they missed four free throws in overtime.

New York was desperate for a stop down the stretch in overtime, however, a reaching foul from Randle sent Doncic to the line and he pushed the lead to five. The Knicks just simply ran out of gas, and Dallas held on for the 126-121 win.

Despite the loss, the Knicks received some tremendous performances from a number of different players.

Quickley had 13 points and 15 assists, Grimes made seven threes and had a career-high 33 points, Randle had 29 points and 18 rebounds, Robinson had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and McBride had 14 points.

Doncic was just that much better as he led all scorers with an incredible 60 points to go along with 21 rebounds and 10 assists.

Highlights What’s next

The Knicks will travel to San Antonio to take on Keldon Johnson and the Spurs on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m.