Julius Randle thought his first experience playing alongside new point guard Jalen Brunson was “solid.”
Randle netted 15 points in 18 minutes — with Brunson registering 16 points and five assists in 20 minutes — in the Knicks’ home victory Tuesday over the Pistons in their preseason opener. The starting unit will look to further build chemistry Friday night against the Pacers at the Garden.
“He just makes the game easy,” Randle said of Brunson after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve said it all the time, he’s such a smart player. He understands the rhythm and flow of the game, how to look for guys in certain situations, how to go get his own, so he’s a really good player.
“He’s a basketball player. I think you can put him anywhere and he will play really well, just because he understands the game so well.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau said Quentin Grimes (foot) is “doing a little more,” but the second-year guard will miss his second straight game. Cam Reddish took some shots Thursday but has been listed as questionable after suffering a sprained ankle against the Pistons. Jericho Sims (groin) also is questionable.
Thibodeau has stated that he expects Evan Fournier to retain his starting off-guard spot ahead of Grimes because of the veteran’s 3-point prowess and ability to spread the floor.
Asked how he weighs that thinking against Grimes’ defensive ability, Thibodeau said, “It’s what does the team need the most? You tend to overlook, OK, [Fournier] was elite shooting the 3 last year, I think he was fourth in 3-pointers made, 10th or 9th in transition 3s made, and he started slowly. I just think it’s a really good weapon to have. It is a different look with Quentin, but you need everybody. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
Veteran guard Derrick Rose could see more time Friday night after playing just six first-half minutes against Detroit in his first game action since Dec. 16 due to multiple ankle surgeries.
“The challenge is to get everyone ready and it’s not easy to do,” Thibodeau said.