Immanuel Quickley made a rare start Sunday and showed why he might be the NBA's best sixth man.
Quickley played 55 minutes and scored 38 points in the Knicks' double-overtime victory over the Boston Celtics. The third-year guard took over in the second overtime, scoring the Knicks' first three baskets and outscoring Boston 7-2 for the first 2:55 of the second extra period.
Even though he only sat for three minutes of the game, Quickley seemed like he still had more energy than anyone else on the court in double OT.
Where were you when Immanuel Quickley pic.twitter.com/tyETr9ccFU
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 6, 2023
The Knicks only reached the second extra period through Quickley's heroics at the end of the first overtime.
Immanuel Quickley should be the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year.
— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) March 6, 2023
Came up HUGE in clutch moments, including this play to extend the game with another 5 minutes.
The Knicks are legit, and his play throughout the whole season is one of the main reasons why. pic.twitter.com/bqZBJhxTXO
Quickley did it late and early. Some bench players try to ease their way in when they join the starting lineup. Not Quickley. Starting in place of Jalen Brunson, he came out firing immediately with a very deep three just seconds into the game.
Hey man, Immanuel Quickley is a psychopath... pic.twitter.com/9Y8a3x5Pry
— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) March 6, 2023
He's now the odds-on favorite for Sixth Man of the Year at -130, leapfrogging Boston's Malcolm Brogdon in what's become a two-man race for the trophy. Brogdon missed the game with a sore ankle, while Quickley filled up the box score on both ends. He led the Knicks with five three-pointers, seven assists, four steals and two blocks.
It's a remarkable rise for a player who was a long shot for the award two weeks ago.
Immanuel Quickley's odds to win Sixth Man of the Year at @BetMGM
— John Ewing (@johnewing) March 6, 2023
+25000: Two weeks ago
+6600: Last week
+175: Before Celtics game
-130: Now pic.twitter.com/AGcj6FXuAV
Quickley has been a huge part of the Knicks' nine-game winning streak, which has left them one game behind Cleveland for fourth place in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in the first round. During the streak, Quickley has averaged 18.8 points while shooting 45.9 percent from three-point range and 54 percent from the floor. The Knicks have been 9.4 points better when he's on the court.
Even if he doesn't come away with the Sixth Man of the Year Award, Quickley has certainly proved he's one of the NBA's best dancers.
Immanuel Quickley was Dancing & Prancing all over TD Garden last night…
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) March 6, 2023
How can he lose if he already chose? pic.twitter.com/xXH6Zr2atG
The 23-year-old is serving notice to awards voters, and Brodgon may have just gotten served.
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