Career night for Raptors guard shows how he was held back on the Knicks

The Phoenix Suns did not have an easy task against the Toronto Raptors. At first, it looked like Toronto was preparing for another blowout game similar to its March 5 loss to the Pelicans, as Grayson Allen put it. set a Suns franchise record on seven three-pointers made in the first quarter. Despite Allen’s heat check, Toronto rallied the troops and locked down defensively, ultimately bringing the game closer with offensive help from RJ Barrett, Gary Trent Jr. and Immanuel Quickley. The Raptors fought hard but the Suns managed to come away with the Victory 120-113.

Even though Toronto didn’t win the game, it was an exceptional night for their lead point guard, Immanuel Quickley, as he produced a career-high performance in terms of assists. In fact, IQ was just one rebound away from his first career triple-double, with a stat line of 21 points, nine rebounds, and eighteen assists. It was a positive to watch Quickley perform well across the board, especially with franchise star Scottie Barnes sidelined indefinitely due to injury.

Immanuel Quickley has become an exceptional playmaker for Toronto, an aspect of his game that was never fully unlocked during his time with the New York Knicks, making the trade seem like a blessing in disguise. Before coming to Toronto, Immanuel Quickley was widely considered a candle protector who could illuminate your attack when needed, where he didn’t focus much on his passing. IQ averaged 2.5 assists in New York before the trade and has hovered around a high of 3.5 assists throughout his career.

Transitioning to a starting role in Toronto, Quickley had to adjust his game from just being a Lou Williams-style offensive heavyweight to being a true leader. He was expected to improve stagnant Raptors offense with RJ Barrett, but the front office and coaching staff also expected huge progress.

IQ has taken this change of scenery in stride, as he averages a career-high six assists this season, and counting. In his last five performances alone, he averaging 11 assists per game and just missed his first triple-double in a few of those games.

Emmanuel Quickley loved her stay in New York and he certainly had some good times as a Knick, however, he greatly improved as an all-around player for the Toronto Raptors. Time will only tell how far IQ can push his game, and alongside a young core of RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes, the Toronto Raptors have a promising point guard leading it all.