Raptors' Immanuel Quickley 'Gonna Try Not to Cry' in Return to MSG After Knicks Trade

The Toronto Raptors will face the New York Knicks on Saturday for the first time since the blockbuster OG Anunoby trade, and one player who was shipped north of the border in the deal is feeling particularly emotional about his return to Madison Square Garden.

"I'm gonna try not to cry," Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley told reporters prior to tip-off. "But it'll be a good one"

The Raptors sent Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa to the Knicks last month in exchange for Quickley, Toronto native RJ Barrett and a 2024 second-round draft pick.

Quickley had spent the first three and a half seasons of his career in New York after being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the 2020 draft and being sent to the Knicks as part of a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 24-year-old had proven to be a valuable member off the bench for New York and numerous Knicks fans mourned his departure in the trade.

Quickley was putting together his best season with the franchise prior to the deal, averaging 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30 games while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from deep.

That said, the Maryland native has taken on a larger role in Toronto and serves as the team's starting point guard in a lineup that includes Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr. and Jakob Poeltl.

In 10 games with the Raptors, the Kentucky product is averaging 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.

While Quickley will be holding back the tears on Saturday night, he'll surely try to put together a strong performance against his former team as the Raptors look to secure just their 17th win of the season.