Knicks shine in preseason matchup against Celtics: Starters impress, DiVincenzo finds his groove

In a preseason showdown with the Boston Celtics, the New York Knicks put on a commendable performance with their starting lineup taking center stage. Meanwhile, Donte DiVincenzo, who had a somewhat challenging start to his Knicks journey, bounced back impressively, leading the Knicks to a 114-107 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Donte DiVincenzo, a significant $50 million summer acquisition, initially faced some difficulties during his debut for the Knicks. However, he managed to redeem himself in the course of Monday's game, displaying notable resilience. His third-quarter performance, which included two assists and two successful 3-pointers, salvaged his overall performance, despite starting the game with a 2-of-8 shooting record.

Coach Tom Thibodeau candidly acknowledged the initial hiccups, attributing them to the challenge of new players adjusting to their roles. DiVincenzo's first six attempts at scoring, including a 3-point shot that barely grazed the rim, proved to be problematic. Additionally, he grappled with finishing in the paint, a recurring issue from his previous NBA stints. Nonetheless, he managed to find his groove, securing a free throw in the third quarter and impressively sinking consecutive 3-pointers, ultimately sealing his performance in the fourth quarter while on the bench.


DiVincenzo himself attributed the early struggles to the process of adapting to a new system, coach, and an environment that includes 14 new teammates. He expressed confidence in his ability to acclimate and improve, underscoring the significance of seeing the ball find the net.

As anticipated, the Boston Celtics opted to rest their star players, including Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford. This decision was primarily due to the Celtics playing the second game of a back-to-back, following their victory over the Sixers on Sunday.

In contrast, the Knicks employed their regular starting lineup, featuring Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson. Josh Hart was the sole exception, taking a well-deserved break. The Knicks made a strong impact early in the game, swiftly establishing a 20-11 lead within the initial six minutes.

Jalen Brunson's impressive ten points in just six minutes, RJ Barrett's impeccable 9-for-9 free-throw performance, and Julius Randle's 11 points and four rebounds in a mere 13 minutes underscored the strength of the Knicks' starting lineup. Coach Thibodeau highlighted the importance of allowing these players to ease back into action and regain their rhythm.

Evan Fournier, who had recently voiced his frustration about his limited role and boldly proclaimed, "I can f–king play," had the opportunity to prove himself. He was among the early substitutions off the bench and, like DiVincenzo, found his stride during the second half. Fournier concluded the game with 11 points, with eight of them coming in the second half. He spent most of the fourth quarter alongside a lineup featuring Miles McBride, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jacob Toppin, and DaQuan Jeffries.

In conclusion, the Knicks secured a preseason victory against the Celtics, showcasing not only the prowess of their starting lineup but also highlighting DiVincenzo's remarkable turnaround after a somewhat rocky beginning to his journey with the Knicks.