Trailing 94-90 and facing elimination, The New York Knicks needed a perfect final 14.4 seconds in Game 6 against the Miami Heat on Friday. Fortunately for the Knicks, they got a perfect play call. Unfortunately for them, the execution was anything but perfect.
Inbounding the ball in the frontcourt, New York’s play called for a screen that, if executed, would leave Quentin Grimes with a wide-open three-point attempt. The first part of the play worked. Grimes caught the inbounds pass from RJ Barrett and found himself wide open for a corner three.
But Grimes still had to make the shot. Instead, he missed the basket completely, chucking up an airball.
Great play, horrible shot. That's how the New York Knicks' season comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/2DQHkUCRsR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 13, 2023
That was pretty much all she wrote for the Knicks. Miami’s Max Strus knocked down a pair of free throws. New York’s Jalen Brunson closed the scoring out with what was essentially an unguarded layup. But the Heat ran the clock out from there to come away with a 96-92 win to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight year.
NBA fans had a lot to say about Grimes’ terrible shot at the worst possible moment.
Grimes for 3 pic.twitter.com/NKhMOKJdV8
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) May 13, 2023
I mean Quentin Grimes legit just shot the worst possible shot he coulda for how open he was
— 🤺 (@philfanacc) May 13, 2023
GRIMES LMFAOOOO
— Jac0by (@JacobyTalkToEm) May 13, 2023
GRIMES TO CUT THE LEAD TO 1 pic.twitter.com/xFYoVLYRDQ
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) May 13, 2023
grimes are you serious right now
— Mill Media (@millsportsmedia) May 13, 2023
Grimes, all air.
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) May 13, 2023
When in doubt, take a Quentin Grimes fade-away three pointer. Glub. GREAT Knicks season. Great. But rough end.
— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) May 13, 2023
While Grimes’ shot didn’t help, New York’s offense was off all night after the first quarter. The Knicks scored a solid 31 points in the first quarter, taking a 31-24 lead. But Miami outscored New York 27-19 in the second quarter to take a lead at halftime. The Knicks then scored only 21 points in both the third and fourth quarters.
