ORLANDO, Fla. — Mohamed Diawara, the 20-year-old rookie from France, has acquired spot minutes within the Knicks rotation and is within the line for extra.
With OG Anunoby sidelined with a strained groin, Diawara was subbed into the primary halves of the final two video games — a loss Monday to the Warmth, then a win Wednesday over the Mavericks.
It was a shock maneuver from coach Mike Brown, if solely as a result of Diawara had beforehand solely logged garbage-time minutes and Pacôme Dadiet has been touted because the higher prospect.
However Dadiet continues to log DNPs and Brown mentioned Diawara deserves an extended look.
“I’d’ve beloved to play Mo on the market just a little longer,” Brown mentioned after Diawara recorded two minutes in Wednesday’s 113-111 victory over the Mavericks. “Mo has carried out an ideal job briefly minutes he performed and to attempt to get him some minutes throughout this time of 12 months, particularly whereas OG is out, to maintain us lengthy and athletic can be excellent. And I’m going to maintain looking to attempt to do it.”
Anunoby, a defensive-minded ahead, strained his hamstring Monday and is out till not less than Dec. 1, and sure longer. Landry Shamet has began in Anunoby’s spot, leaving Josh Hart and Guerschon Yabusele as the highest backup forwards.
Diawara was drafted 51st in June and impressed in Summer season League, resulting in a regular NBA contract and now possibilities in significant NBA minutes.
He recorded a block and a steal within the three mixed minutes of his final two video games. Brown mentioned he’s making an attempt to keep up an expanded rotation to maintain his starters’ minutes down. On Wednesday, 9 gamers logged not less than 17 minutes.
“It’s big for lots of causes, but in addition it’s so early within the season and the truth of it’s, I don’t wish to fuel my guys this early within the season,” Brown mentioned. “And if the minutes could be respectable throughout the board, particularly presently of the 12 months, then we will enhance the minutes come playoff time or come late within the season.
“In case now we have to throw any individual within the recreation, there’s a consolation stage they’ve — not solely what they’ve, however I’ve, the workers has, and everyone else has, with any individual new on the ground.”
Wednesday’s huge foul name was confirmed as right.
In line with the NBA’s two-minute report, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams “illegally hooked” Shamet on his drive with 0.7 seconds remaining.
Referee JT Orr certainly whistled Williams for that offensive foul, negating the layup that may’ve despatched the sport into OT.
“It was the suitable name,” Brown mentioned. “As a result of (Williams) took (Shamet’s) left arm — and I had an ideal view of it, and I’m glad JT did, however extra importantly, he made the suitable name.”
