Immanuel Quickley received pointers via text from Damian Lillard
Fresh off of dropping a career-high 31 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley received a few extra pointers and tips from All-Star Damian Lillard.
Quickley became the first rookie in Knicks history to score at least 30 points with five made 3-pointers during that matchup off the bench. Perhaps most impressive, Quickley produced 21 points alone in the fourth quarter as New York nearly pulled off the comeback win after trailing by 12 points in the period.
The Knicks returned to New York after a four-game West Coast road trip, in which Quickley faced off against the likes of Lillard, Stephen Curry, De’Aaron Fox and others.
The opportunity to play against those guys proved to be very beneficial for Quickley to see how they approach the game. Quickley revealed that he texted with Lillard after that loss.
“I got to pick Damian Lillard’s brain,” Quickley said. “I got to text Dame after the game. (Knicks associate head coach) Johnnie Bryant was really close with him so he put me on. Steph, I didn’t get a chance to talk to yet. Hopefully, I get a chance to pick his brain the next time they come to Madison Square.”
During the game, the broadcast on MSG showed a moment between Quickley and Lillard when the rookie was shooting free throws. Lillard appeared to be offering him some pointers at that point, too.
Dame recognizes Quickley's game. pic.twitter.com/YBy9ARJFJ5
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) January 25, 2021
On the season, Quickley is averaging 10.7 points, 2.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 15 games. He has emerged as a key player with the Knicks and one of the top rookies to this point of the season, ranking sixth in scoring among all first-year players.
Certainly, any advice Quickley can glean from Lillard will help go a long way in his development.
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