New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo set a team record with 11 three-point baskets against the Detroit Pistons in a 124-99 rout on Monday March 25th at Madison Square Garden. The first-year Knick forward scored a career high 40 points in the Knicks 43rd win of the season. DiVincenzo has been crucial for New York of late. The team has been hampered by injuries for the last calendar month. DiVincenzo has upped his production to help carry the team through some trying times.
OG Anunoby remains sidelined after reinjuring his surgically repaired elbow. The Knicks are still waiting on the services of Julius Randle who has been out of the lineup since Jan. 27 with a bum shoulder. Mitchell Robinson’s status has been updated from out to questionable. Robinson has been out since December with an ankle injury he suffered against the Boston Celtics. At the time of the injury Robinson had been playing arguably the best basketball of his career. Injuries have most certainly played a role in the Knicks season.
Despite the injury bug, DiVincenzo has helped the Knicks circle the wagons. The Villanova product has scored in double figures in 29 consecutive outings. He’s scored at least 30 points on five occasions this season. This is the highest offensive productivity of DiVincenzo’s career. He’s upped his scoring average from 9.4 points per game a year ago with the Golden State Warriors to a solid 14.9 with the Knicks. The Delaware native has hit his stride in New York.
On Jan. 30, DiVincenzo connected on nine trifectas which is the fourth highest total in team history. The 11 DiVincenzo hit against Detroit broke Evan Fournier’s team record of 10 which was set on Jan. 6, 2022. J.R Smith held a piece of the team record with 10 threes against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2014. DiVincenzo came into the season a career 37.4 percent from downtown. This season he has shot a career best 40 percent from three.
DiVincenzo has started 52 out of a possible 70 games this season. New York entered the season deep at small forward. R.J Barrett was expected to take up the brunt of action at small forward. A combination of midseason trades and injuries has thrusted DiVincenzo into the spotlight and he has thrived.
DiVincenzo, like teammate Josh Hart plays with an unselfishness that is uncommon in the game today. Both men are undersized at their positions respectively but make up for their lack of size with effort.
DiVincenzo has shown a comfort level with New York that simply wasn’t present at his previous stops in the league. Reuniting with his former college teammates could be part of the reason why DiVincenzo’s transition to New York has been seamless. Hart, DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson all played together at Villanova. The teams they fielded under Jay Wright are amongst the most successful in recent memory, winning two National Championships. That level of camaraderie cannot be taught.
DiVincenzo’s role will likely change as the Knicks get closer to full strength. Randle was one of the best players in the NBA this season before the injury. In getting Randle back New York will be adding a well needed 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assist per night. Randle is an MVP caliber player when at full strength is one of the best in the NBA.
Prior to this season New York moved fan favorite Obi Toppin to the Indiana Pacers to make space for DiVincenzo. The deal was met with backlash. Many argued that New York would be better off keeping Toppin. After all, the number eight overall selection out of Dayton had been playing in Randle’s shadow since his arrival in New York. Toppin was named Naismith Player of The Year while at Dayton. The New York native seemed to be a part of the Knicks future. However, due to Randles’s ascension, Toppin became expendable. At the time, Divincenzo seemed like a better fit. New York struggled mightily from three in their second round series against the Miami Heat a year ago. New York’s motives in bringing in DiVincenzo was to improve their perimeter depth and long-range shooting.
New York has gotten more than they could have ever expected out of DiVincenzo. At 43-28, the Knicks are currently battling for position in the Eastern Conference headed into the NBA Playoffs. The Orlando Magic trail New York by only one game in the standings for the all-important number four seed. Looking up New York sits only 2.5 games behind the Bucks who are 46-26 for the number two seed. With only 11 games left this season and much left to be decided teams are in complete lock in mode.
Knicks Head Coach Tim Thibodeau has his work cut out. New York has a solid team top to bottom. Thibodeau will have to jockey guys around until he finds the right mix headed into the playoffs. New Yorks boasts a versatile roster. DiVincenzo, Hart and Anunoby can play multiple positions. Figuring out a solid rotation could pose problems initially, but also adds depth which will be needed against teams such as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks come playoff time.
