Before the 2025 NBA season officially began, New York Knicks players and coaches noticed promising talent in rookie Mohamed Diawara. Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart recognized his abilities during practice sessions, while head coach Mike Brown saw flashes of what Diawara might become during the preseason. Selected 51st overall in the NBA Draft, Diawara began showing glimpses of his potential early on.
In training camp we were like, ‘this kid might have something,’ because he showed flashes,
Mike Brown said after the Knicks beat the Boston Celtics 111-89 to secure their ninth victory in 10 games on Sunday, a game in which Diawara earned his first Defensive Player of the Game award this season.
And then as time went on it’s like, ‘OK, we’ve got to start trying to throw him out there with his length. He’s growing pretty fast, let’s get more of an opportunity.
You guys have seen his growth. It’s been little by little.
Facing Competition Yet Staying Focused on Improvement
Despite limited initial expectations due to established veterans occupying minutes at his position, Diawara remained committed. The Knicks’ roster includes rugged ironmen such as Mikal Bridges, who has never missed a game professionally or collegiately, and Josh Hart, the NBA’s leader in minutes last year. OG Anunoby, widely regarded as one of the team’s most impactful players, also holds a significant role on this championship-contending squad. Still, Diawara stayed patient, working diligently behind the scenes and waiting for his chance.
Brown emphasized how Diawara seized opportunities when they came.
Sometimes we’ve thrown him out to start games,
Brown explained.
And seeing how he responds when he starts games–big games–has given us more confidence to put him on the floor.
Key Defensive Presence in Crucial Moments Against Celtics
Defense has been central to the Knicks’ recent turnaround, with players frequently crediting improved communication on that end. Despite being a late first-quarter substitution in a high-stakes matchup against the Boston Celtics, Diawara quickly made his presence felt. When OG Anunoby was sidelined with a toe injury, Diawara entered the game and immediately demonstrated strong defensive awareness by directing seasoned veterans like Mikal Bridges during possessions involving Celtics’ All-Star Jaylen Brown.
Brown, who scored 26 points against the Knicks, was challenged repeatedly by Diawara’s vigilant defense. On one sequence, Diawara’s communication led to a missed Celtics shot and a critical turnover, which the Knicks capitalized on with a fast break dunk by Karl-Anthony Towns. On the offensive side, Diawara showcased his ability to score, finishing acrobatically at the rim off a pick-and-roll pass from Brunson.
I could see he was really good and smart and talented. So I’m not surprised at what he’s able to do given the opportunity,
said Jalen Brunson.
He listens. He corrects his mistakes the next time. He’s working really hard. And this is only the beginning for him.
Careful Management Supports Gradual Development
The Knicks are cautious not to rush Diawara’s growth, understanding that development at his position requires more on-court experience. With Bridges, Hart, and Anunoby leading the way, the rookie’s playing time is carefully managed to maximize learning and confidence-building.
In training camp, everybody was like, ‘he’s gonna be good.’ And I think with him, it was just more about getting more comfortable, more experience, more minutes, those kinds of things,
Josh Hart shared.
But he’s gonna be extremely good. He’s extremely talented, defensively he can be all over the place, but offensively he’s knocking down shots. He’s really good especially when they guard him with bigs. He can knock down shots but also play in the pocket and play make.
Versatility Against Top Opponents Highlights Defensive Prowess
Diawara’s ability to defend multiple positions stands out in matchups against elite scorers. Alongside limiting Brown’s effectiveness, Diawara also guarded Payton Pritchard, keeping the sharpshooter to just six points with poor shooting in another recent game. The rookie views these challenging matchups as both demanding and rewarding.
It was tough because they’re both great players, but I was ready to take the challenge to guard them,
explained Diawara.
And I was happy the coaches put me on them because that means they think I’m a great defender and I appreciate it. That was a tough matchup for sure to guard them today.
Improved Three-Point Shooting Boosts Offensive Threat
One obstacle Diawara faced early on was his 3-point accuracy, which had been inconsistent. Initially, he converted just six of his first 18 three-point attempts, stretching to eight out of 24 including preseason games. However, since the end of December, he has made 15 of 35 attempts, corresponding to a 42.8% shooting rate from beyond the arc.
Diawara credits dedicated practice sessions with the shooting coach for this marked improvement, pinpointing a breakthrough night when he went four-for-four from three-point range as a major confidence booster.
But most of the time, it’s just work, working every day at practice with the shooting coach,
he said.
And yeah I’m getting really comfortable, and I believe in my shot right now.
This progress places Diawara among the top rookie shooters in the league, with a 39.8% three-point shooting percentage this season, trailing only Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and Atlanta’s Asa Newell among first-year players to appear in at least 30 games.
Learning from Veteran Mentors in and out of the Locker Room
Diawara has embraced mentorship from the Knicks’ experienced players, absorbing advice both on and off the court to aid his development. He mentioned numerous veterans who have impacted his growth, showing humility despite his rapid progress.
He’s not here right now but Deuce was a big player for me. I’ve got Mikal. I got Josh, too. I got OG,
Diawara said.
Pretty much everybody talks to me and tries to help me on the court, and off the court, too.
Consistent Effort Translates to Increasing Court Time
Diawara’s growing minutes reflect the coaching staff’s trust in his work ethic and potential. His determination and consistent performance in practice have earned him more opportunities to gain valuable game experience.
Just keep working. The coaches saw it in practice and saw I was practicing hard every day,
he stated.
And I think most of the time [I need to] to get reps and get comfortable on the court. That’s how I get more minutes.
Emerging as a Key Contributor for the Knicks’ Ambitions
Mohamed Diawara’s steady improvement and expanding role are significant for a Knicks team competing for a championship. His versatility on defense and improved shooting add depth to the team’s lineup, providing crucial relief behind veterans like Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart. As the season advances, increased playing time will allow Diawara to continue refining his skills, boosting the Knicks’ confidence in their young forward’s future impact.
