Grimes is glad he was able to play a game in Houston

HOUSTON – Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes was able to relive a lifelong dream Wednesday night at Toyota Center as he played his second-ever NBA game in his hometown of Houston.

Born in Houston, Grimes was a superstar at Woodlands College Park High School in suburban Houston, where he averaged 29.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1, Scored 8 steals and 1.5 blocks. That year, he was also named the Gatorade State Player of the Year, selected to the McDonald’s All-American and also received All-Greater Houston Player of the Year honors.

And in 2021, Grimes led the University of Houston to the NCAA Final Four. In other words, Grimes is a big deal in the city of Houston.

Playing Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets – where he estimated between 45 and 50 family members and friends were in attendance – was a very enjoyable experience for Grimes.

“I tried to get about 20 to 25 tickets,” he said. “It’s just because of the people I know from my family who came to the game.

“I know a few friends have approached me about coming to the game. So this is a big support for me down here in Houston and I definitely appreciate it.”

When Grimes played for the New York Knicks, he missed their only game in Houston in his rookie year in 2021-22 due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols. But in his second season with the Knicks, Grimes scored 19 points on 8 of 15 shooting in his team’s 108-88 win over the Rockets in their only game in Houston.

And four days before the Knicks played in Houston on February 12, 2024, in Grimes’ third season with New York, the Knicks traded him to the Detroit Pistons, who had already played their only game in Houston before this trade.

So Grimes was eager to play in Houston on Wednesday, and he responded with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists and was 6 of 13 from the field.

“I think every time you come home as a player you want to show family and friends and I thought he would be a plus for us tonight,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He was aggressive (and) he looked good.”

Most of all, Grimes enjoyed being able to play in front of so many friends and family members in his hometown.

“When I was in New York, I was only down here once,” he said. “The first year I had Covid, the second year I was able to play and the third year I was substituted before I could ever play in front of my family.

“So I had a lot of family come over tonight and support me.”

MEAGER: A moment of silence was observed before the Mavs-Rockets game on Wednesday following the tragic incident in New Orleans on Sunday morning that left 14 people dead and more than two dozen others injured. . . After a long and tiring four-game road trip in which they lost the last three games and traveled to three different time zones, the Mavs will not practice on Thursday. On Friday, the Mavs host the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the best record in the NBA. Then the Mavs play in Memphis on Monday before returning home to host 40-year-old LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the return game on Tuesday.

X: @DwainPrice