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The New York Knicks have a tall task facing them in their first game coming out of the All-Star break, with the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, the Detroit Pistons, coming to town in a potential playoff matchup.
Jeremy Sochan, the Knicks' newest addition thanks to a San Antonio Spurs buyout, is expected to make his debut Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. But it may come at the expense of a rookie who has played well so far this season.
In head coach Mike Brown's first press conference coming out of the midseason break, he was asked about rookie Mohamed Diawara's role with Sochan now in the picture, and it doesn't bode well for Diawara's playing time.
Jeremy Sochan expected to receive minutes over Mohamed Diawara
When asked about what the Sochan signing meant for Diawara's minutes, Brown was honest with reporters.
"I've given young guys opportunities over vets. But I'm going to give Jeremy an opportunity. I'm going to play who is best for us. Jeremy just got here so I have to see rather quickly what he brings before heading into playoffs," Brown said, via The Athletic's James Edwards.
The news should come with mixed emotions to Knicks fans, who may have gotten a bit attached to Diawara over the weeks leading into the All-Star break. He had been playing a bigger role with the injury to forward OG Anunoby.
Diawara, the 51st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been a pleasant surprise this season. Over his last 10 games, the rookie is averaging 15 minutes a night and is shooting an efficient 55.3% from the field, including 44.4% from three, albeit on limited attempts.
Despite his solid play, it seems Brown and the Knicks coaching staff want to see what they have in Sochan. His defense may play a pivotal role down the stretch and in the postseason for New York.
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