Knicks Rookie Quietly Making Large Impact in New York

Mohamed Diawara, the Knicks' second-round rookie, has quietly made a major impact on the team as New York pursues an NBA championship.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Mohamed Diawara, the New York Knicks' second-round rookie, has quietly made a major impact on the team this season. Under new head coach Mike Brown, Diawara has seen increased playing time and has made the most of his opportunities, averaging 6.5 minutes per game and 6.3 points per game over his last three games. Diawara's strong two-way play, including his defensive impact, has earned the trust of the coaching staff as the Knicks pursue an NBA title.

Why it matters

The Knicks' success this season has been a surprise, and Diawara's emergence as a key contributor off the bench has been a big part of that. As the team looks to make a deep playoff run, Diawara's ability to provide energy and defense could be crucial.

The details

Diawara, a 6-foot-9 wing with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, has made an impact on both ends of the floor. On offense, he has shot the ball efficiently, going 4-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from three-point range in a recent blowout win over the Boston Celtics. Defensively, he has used his length and athleticism to disrupt opponents, with the Knicks posting a 109.5 defensive rating when he is on the floor compared to 114.1 when he is not.

  • Diawara has seen his minutes increase over the last three games, averaging 20.3 minutes per game during that stretch.
  • In December, Diawara had a career-high 18 points and two steals in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The players

Mohamed Diawara

A 6-foot-9 wing and the Knicks' second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Diawara has emerged as a key contributor off the bench for New York this season.

Mike Brown

The Knicks' new head coach, who has expanded the team's rotation and given Diawara more playing time.

Tom Thibodeau

The Knicks' former head coach, who was known for running a tight rotation.

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What they’re saying

“Just a lot of little things that you kind of watch and go, 'Oh my gosh, wow.' And all those things when you add them up to a possible opportunity it gives you more confidence as a coaching staff to throw him out there and say, okay let's see what's going to happen.”

— Mike Brown, Knicks Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

As the Knicks continue their pursuit of an NBA championship, Diawara will look to build on his strong play and earn an even bigger role in the team's rotation.

The takeaway

Diawara's emergence as a key contributor off the Knicks' bench is a testament to the team's depth and the coaching staff's ability to develop young talent. His two-way play and defensive impact could be crucial as the Knicks make a deep playoff run.