Mohamed Diawara showing why he deserves extended Knicks look

ORLANDO, Fla. — Mohamed Diawara, the 20-year-old rookie from France, has received spot minutes in the Knicks rotation and is in the line for more.

With OG Anunoby sidelined with a strained groin, Diawara was subbed into the first halves of the last two games — a loss Monday to the Heat, then a win Wednesday over the Mavericks.

It was a surprise maneuver from coach Mike Brown, if only because Diawara had previously only logged garbage-time minutes and Pacôme Dadiet has been touted as the greater prospect. 

But Dadiet continues to log DNPs and Brown said Diawara deserves a longer look.

“I would’ve loved to play Mo out there a little longer,” Brown said after Diawara recorded two minutes in Wednesday’s 113-111 victory over the Mavericks. “Mo has done a great job in short minutes he played and to try to get him some minutes during this time of year, especially while OG is out, to keep us long and athletic would be ideal. And I’m going to keep searching to try to do it.”

Anunoby, a defensive-minded forward, strained his hamstring Monday and is out until at least Dec. 1, and likely longer. Landry Shamet has started in Anunoby’s spot, leaving Josh Hart and Guerschon Yabusele as the top backup forwards. 

Mohamed Diawara of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on November 19, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images

Diawara was drafted 51st in June and impressed in Summer League, leading to a standard NBA contract and now chances in meaningful NBA minutes. 

He recorded a block and a steal in the three combined minutes of his last two games. Brown said he’s trying to maintain an expanded rotation to keep his starters’ minutes down. On Wednesday, nine players logged at least 17 minutes.

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“It’s huge for a lot of reasons, but also it’s so early in the season and the reality of it is, I don’t want to gas my guys this early in the season,” Brown said. “And if the minutes can be respectable across the board, especially at this time of the year, then we can increase the minutes come playoff time or come late in the season. 

“In case we have to throw somebody in the game, there is a comfort level they have — not only what they have, but I have, the staff has, and everybody else has, with somebody new on the floor.”

Mohamed Diawara of the New York Knicks in action against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on October 17, 2025. Getty Images

Wednesday’s big foul call was confirmed as correct. 

According to the NBA’s two-minute report, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams “illegally hooked” Shamet on his drive with 0.7 seconds remaining.

Referee JT Orr indeed whistled Williams for that offensive foul, negating the layup that would’ve sent the game into OT. 

“It was the right call,” Brown said. “Because (Williams) took (Shamet’s) left arm — and I had a great view of it, and I’m glad JT did, but more importantly, he made the right call.”