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Tom Thibodeau announced on Monday that point guard Kemba Walker was “out of the rotation for now.” Tuesday night, it became clear that Walker isn’t just out of the rotation, but all but out of his hometown.
In the Knicks’ 112-110 loss to Brooklyn, the Bronx-raised point guard’s outsider status seemingly was set in stone. Despite the coach’s proclamation, RJ Barrett’s illness opened a path for Walker to return to the court. With Barrett ruled out of the game in the second quarter, Thibodeau could have moved newly installed starting point guard Alec Burks to his normal position at small forward for Barrett and started Walker to start the second half of the game.
Not a chance. Little-used rookie Quentin Grimes started the third quarter for Barrett and the Nets outscored the Knicks, 14-0.