Everything about Quentin Grimes’ first NBA start seemed like it was setting him up to fail.
The rookie wasn’t exactly groomed for this moment in the games leading up to Sunday’s matinee against the Milwaukee Bucks, having managed only 79 minutes of action across 13 appearances. It was a product of circumstance, the result of three rotation regulars (including two wings) set to miss this game for one reason or another.
And because the unavailable status of RJ Barrett and Alec Burks were discovered so close to tip-off, Grimes only had so much time to digest the opportunity he was about to be given.