Turning point
Quickley enjoys first start amid backcourt absences
Nets point guard Kyrie Irving taught the kid a lesson in the second quarter, putting a series of fakes and spin moves on Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley.
Irving finally twirled away from Quickley for an uncontested finger-roll layup.
In his first career NBA start in Monday’s loss to the Nets, Quickley got a learning experience but was hardly overwhelmed in the nationally televised spotlight.
“It was definitely intensity all around the game, going against Kyrie, James Harden,’’ Quickley said. “They’re gifted offensively. It was really cool to get a start against them and it will help me down the road.’’
Regarding that one sequence when Irving faked him out of his white Knicks shorts, Quickley said, “He’s a great player who’s going to make plays, but I have that growth mindset that will help me down the road.’’
Quickley scored 21 points but shot just 4-for-12 from 3-point range.
With the Knicks decimated at point guard missing their top two guys in Elfrid Payton (hamstring) and Derrick Rose (COVID-19 protocols), coach Tom Thibodeau started Quickley over Frank Ntilikina, who served as Quickley’s backup and fouled out in 16 minutes.
Ntilikina was scoreless for the third straight game, going 0-for-5 and 0-for-4 on 3s. But Thibodeau credited Ntilikina’s defense in the fourth quarter for helping the Knicks’ comeback.
➤ The Knicks’ radio team of Ed Cohen and Brendan Brown has been sidelined indefinitely as the duo are in health and safety protocols, The Post has learned.
Cohen and Brown have been the radio team, heard locally on ESPN Radio, for the past three seasons. Brown, son of Hubie Brown and a former Memphis assistant, has been the Knicks’ radio analyst off and on since 2008.
John Giannone and John Wallace will fill in as the radio broadcast team until further notice.
➤ Austin Rivers, who was banished from the rotation before going on paternity leave, is not expected back to face his father Doc’s team, the Sixers, on Tuesday. Thibodeau indicated Rivers’ fiancée is still expecting. The Knicks have said he’s out for “personal reasons.”
➤ Mitchell Robinson (hand surgery) was first seen by the media Monday shooting without a cast. He’s been out five weeks.
“He’s making progress,’’ Thibodeau said. “So there’s a progression to this. He’s actually doing well. HE still has to go through contact in practice and that sort of thing. But hopefully it will be soon.’’