MEMPHIS - In some ways, Wednesday was a make-or-break night for Cam Reddish’s Knicks tenure.
He was getting the "first crack" at the rotation spot left open by Quentin Grimes’ injury.
If Reddish failed to make an impact in Memphis, maybe Tom Thibodeau plays someone else in place of Grimes on Friday against the Detroit Pistons.
Reddish had a chance to force his way into Thibodeau’s rotation in the preseason. He didn’t, shooting 21 percent from the field in four games.
So there seemed to be a lot on the line for him in the Knicks’ opener – and he delivered.
Reddish had 22 points and three steals off the bench in an overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored 14 of his 22 in the fourth quarter and overtime, hitting 6-of-7 shots in that span. Those points included several strong finishes in transition and a corner three with three seconds remaining to force overtime.
After the Knicks’ loss, Thibodeau said he liked "every aspect" of Reddish’s play.
"I think his defense got him going and then I think he got out into the open floor. I just thought his shot selection was good, he attacked the rim well, he got some easy buckets," Thibodeau said. "When you get some easy buckets, the game becomes easier. So that was a big plus. And his length, that’s important for us."
Thibodeau showed trust in Reddish by playing him alongside RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein to close regulation. That lineup outscored Memphis by nine in the final seven minutes of the fourth.
"Trying not to think so much, Just hoop. It felt good," Reddish said after the game.
New York traded Kevin Knox and a protected first-round pick for Reddish last season. Initially, Reddish wasn’t part of the rotation. It led to speculation – which proved to be accurate – that Thibodeau and the front office weren’t in lock step on the Reddish trade.
Teams called the Knicks regularly in the ensuing months, wondering about Reddish’s situation and the feasibility of acquiring him via trade. The Los Angeles Lakers were among the many teams interested in Reddish.
Those calls will probably keep coming in after Wednesday night.
Reddish is a restricted free agent this summer. To the surprise of no one, New York and Reddish didn’t come to terms on an extension prior to the season. Now, it’s tough to see how the Knicks can offer he, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley significant contracts in the 2023 offseason.
But those are conversations for another day. Late on Wednesday night in Memphis, Reddish reminded the NBA why he was taken 10th in the 2019 NBA Draft, and why he was considered by some to be the top high school player in his class.
"Obviously being traded midway is tough, new group of guys, new everything. Just trying to find my way, be aggressive, be assertive and make the right play," he said. "... Let me say it like this: I know what I can do. I wanted to make sure I still got it."
THIBS PRAISES BARRETT’S DEFENSE ON OFF SHOOTING NIGHT
Barrett had a rough night from the floor, missing all six of his three-point attempts and finished 3-for-18 against Memphis. Thibodeau afterward chose to highlight Barrett’s defense against Ja Morant.
"He really did a good job – about as good as you can do – on Morant. That’s a lot of pick and rolls that you’re getting through. Hand-offs, hand-backs, transition. I loved how he fought and did that part," Thibodeau said.
The Knicks will obviously need more from Barrett on offense to reach their goals this season. Anyone who knows Barrett would bet on him bouncing back and delivering. With Barrett misfiring, Randle picked the Knicks up with 24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. He fouled out in overtime, which crushed New York’s chances of leaving town with a win.
Another factor that hurt the Knicks on Wednesday? Mitchell Robinson fouled out in just 13 minutes. Just like he did with Barrett, Thibodeau highlighted the positive impact Robinson made when he was on the floor.
"He had a lot of really good plays," Thibodeau said. "We’re asking him - obviously, with Morant being in all those pick and rolls, he’s gotta be up, he’s gotta drop, he’s gotta get back to the body, he’s gotta protect the rim – he’s doing a lot of stuff on every single play."
Just like Barrett, the Knicks will need more minutes from Robinson moving forward to reach their goals.