Knicks Rook Mohamed Diawara Steps Up Amid Injuries

In Orlando, 20-year-old rookie Mohamed Diawara from France is finding his place in the Knicks’ lineup, and there’s a sense he might be ready for even more responsibility.

With OG Anunoby out due to a groin strain, Diawara didn’t see the court in the first halves of the Knicks’ last two games—a loss to the Heat and a close victory over the Mavericks. It was a bit of a surprise, honestly. Coach Mike Brown probably caught some off guard with this decision, especially since Diawara had only seen limited minutes prior, typically during garbage time. Pacom Dadier was initially viewed as a strong prospect, so this shift puts Diawara in the spotlight in a way that feels unexpected.

Diawara logged just two minutes in Wednesday’s game, but those minutes obviously made an impression. Brown mentioned, “I wish I could have used him a bit more. Mo has been doing well in the time he’s gotten. It’s especially important now, with OG out, to keep him engaged and maintain his athleticism.” It seems Brown is all in on trying to get Diawara as much playing time as possible.

Anunoby, known for his defensive prowess, hurt his hamstring on Monday. Looks like he won’t be back until at least December 1, maybe longer. In his absence, Landry Shamet stepped into the starting role, while Josh Hart and Gershon Yabusele are taking on the backup forward duties.

Diawara was drafted 51st overall in June, and he made quite the impression in Summer League, which ultimately earned him a standard NBA contract, giving him a shot at meaningful playtime in the league.

He’s only managed a block and a steal in his brief totals so far, but Coach Brown seems committed to widening the rotation to lessen the burden on starters. After all, in Wednesday’s matchup, there were nine players who all hit at least 17 minutes.

“This is significant for several reasons. It’s early in the season, and we really don’t want to run our guys into the ground this soon,” Brown commented. “If we can distribute minutes evenly now, it could pay off down the line when we hit the playoffs or the later parts of the season.”

And there’s something to be said for building confidence. The more comfortable each player is, especially newcomers like Diawara, the better the team benefits when situations arise where they need that experience quickly.

In a more dramatic finish on Wednesday, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams was correctly called for an offensive foul preventing a layup that could’ve tied the game. Referee JT Orr identified the illegal play, and Brown backed the call, stating, “It was the right choice.”