Knicks Rookie Steps Up Against Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS — It was a standout night for Mohamed Diawara, the Knicks rookie who took advantage of an opportunity as he started at forward due to Josh Hart’s injury during Monday’s game against the Pelicans. Showing impressive form, Diawara kicked off the game with 13 points in the first quarter, hitting all three of his three-point attempts, and ultimately finished with a personal best of 18 points.
This marks a significant leap for someone whose highest score previously was just five points, which has definitely caught the attention of coach Mike Brown. “Over the summer, you could really see how well he understands the game,” Brown remarked about the 20-year-old second-round pick. “For his size—around 6’8″ or 6’9″—his feel for the game is remarkable, especially for someone so young. He absorbs what we teach him and really puts in the effort to improve. He’s got the length and is becoming a solid defender.”
Brown went on to elaborate on Diawara’s potential. “There are these little moments that you can’t help but admire. Adding those up gives us the confidence to let him play and see how he handles it,” he said.
Diawara wasn’t the only young player making an impact, as Tyler Kolek and Kevin McCullar Jr. also delivered noteworthy performances.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson sat out for load management, resulting in his absence from 10 games out of the 32 this season. “It’s all about managing their workload,” Brown commented, acknowledging the demanding schedule the team has been facing. “I might’ve overshared there, but we’re just trying to play it smart.”
Ariel Hukporti took Robinson’s place but had to sit out the second half due to a mouth injury, leaving Trey Jemison to step in for just a few minutes.
Interestingly, Brown shifted his lineup significantly, playing 12 players in the first half and even reintroducing Gershon Yabusele, who scored 9 points in 16 minutes. This strategy seems consistent with Brown’s approach of creating opportunities, something Mikal Bridges recognized as key for boosting the bench’s morale.
“Definitely. When the squad knows their efforts can lead to being called up, it pushes everyone to grow as a team,” Bridges said. He added that while camaraderie and competitiveness drive them, there’s often a yearning to get onto the court, adding an interesting dynamic to the bench energy.
He noted that the prospect of playing makes everyone more engaged, remarking, “When you know you could get in, you just feel this heightened energy on the bench, especially during fast breaks or runs.”
In other news, Jalen Brunson has notably secured third place in Eastern Conference fan voting, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyrese Maxey. Other noteworthy names in the top 20 include Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart.
Voting continues until January 14th, with fan votes accounting for half of the starters’ selection. Players and media make up the remaining percentages.
This year, the positions are consolidated—only five players from each conference will be chosen, leading to two teams of American All-Stars and one international. Last year, Brunson ranked sixth in Eastern Conference voting.
