The biggest addition that the New York Knicks made during the 2023 NBA offseason was signing Donte DiVincenzo using their full mid-level exception. It was a deal that many people questioned, as a guard wasn’t the team’s most pressing need, as he would essentially be taking the spot of Obi Toppin in the rotation.
Anyone who thought that was a bad signing over the summer has been eating their words throughout the season. DiVincenzo has proven to be one of the best acquisitions of the offseason and is a big part of the team finding so much success in recent weeks.
Since being inserted into the starting lineup on December 8th, he has been on fire. DiVincenzo has turned into one of the best shooters in the NBA during that span, as he shot a scorching hot 49.4 percent in December.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Donte DiVincenzo & New York Knicks Updates
Over the last two games, with OG Anunoby and Julius Randle both sidelined, the Knicks needed someone to step up and help carry the load offensively. DiVincenzo answered the call, putting together back-to-back masterful performances.
Against the Charlotte Hornets, he scored 28 points with six rebounds and five assists. Against the Utah Jazz the following night, he scored 33 points, his most thus far in his Knicks’ tenure. He added five rebounds, four assists and four steals for a well-rounded performance.
His performance against the Jazz was a historic one. He knocked down nine three-pointers to go along with his four steals and didn’t commit a single turnover in 39 minutes of play.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Donte DiVincenzo & New York Knicks Updates
According to StatMuse on X, DiVincenzo is only the second player in NBA history to reach those numbers in the same game. The only other player to do so is Damian Lillard, who did it on February 19th, 2016 against the Golden State Warriors in a 33-point blowout that the scored 51 points in.
The production the Knicks are getting from DiVincenzo is blowing away even the most optimistic of projections for him coming into the season. He is proving to be yet another shrewd addition by New York’s front office, who has been hitting all the right buttons on their moves, resulting in an emerging contender.
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