Evan Fournier returns to MSG and remains the Knicks’ 3-point record holder, but Donte DiVincenzo is poised to break that record.
“To be honest, we’re going to lose,” Fournier said. “During that season, we understood that there was a chance that we could break the record sometime late in the season. I mean, Donte is a great shooter. I’m pretty confident he’ll definitely break it.” ”
Fournier’s disappointing stint in New York was highlighted by his 3-point performance and 241 treys, a franchise single-season record, in 2021-22.
But DiVincenzo is on pace to surpass that mark with 172 points heading into Monday’s matchup against the Pistons. If he doesn’t miss the next game, DiVincenzo will average 3.1 threes for a season total of 248.
DiVincenzo shot 41.5 percent from beyond the arc in Monday’s game, which was better than Fournier’s 38.9 percent shot. Julius Randle’s 218 treys last season were second in Knicks history, one ahead of John Starks’ record from 1994-95.
The record was one of two positive moments for the Knicks that Fournier cited before Monday’s return game against the Pistons.
The other dropped 32 points in his debut against the Celtics in a dramatic double-overtime win that sparked raucous celebrations outside MSG.
However, Fournier’s stint after that was mostly downhill. Although he was on the bench during his second and third seasons with the Knicks as Tom Thibodeau sought a better defense, the Frenchman has not been shy about his desire to move on to recapture the prime years of his career.
“I’m 31 years old,” he said Monday. “I’m not 40 years old.”
Fournier said he found out about his signing with the Pistons inside the steam room of the Knicks’ practice facility when Josh Hart rushed in with the news.
On paper, the Pistons aren’t suited for a roster full of veterans and players in their early 20s who have the worst record in the NBA. But Fournier is getting playing time, certainly more than he did with the Knicks, averaging 21.5 minutes and 11.5 points in four games since Monday.
Although his situation with the Knicks has been controversial, Fournier said he had no special motivation for Monday’s matchup.
“Obviously I want to play well. At this point in my career, I really don’t care,” he said. “I just have to play well. I feel like I can be myself again. Help these young guys and grow.”
And it wasn’t all bad in New York either. He was enjoying his life, commuting to MSG on his scooter and setting records.
“Obviously, it was one of the most difficult times in my career. But as a human being, it was probably the best moment for me,” Fournier said. “My second son was born here. His wife and I always wanted to live in New York. We had the time of our lives here.”
