DDV’s crunchtime heroics are reminders of what he provided for Golden State last year.
The NBA playoffs are rolling forward with dramatic contests being played out on a nightly basis. Unfortunately they don’t include the Golden State Warriors, whose dynasty over the last decade has shone brightly, but has dimmed this season with a disappointing flameout in the play-in tournament.
As the Warriors lick their wounds and seek within to figure out what it will take to squeeze some more juice out of their championship-level experience, it’s a good time to check out one of their former comrades who is playing his heart out on the big stage right now.
Did anybody see when Donte DiVincenzo, a member of last season’s Warriors club, hit a monster three for the New York Knicks to seal their Game 2 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers?
"DiVincenzo a three... BANG! BANG!!!! Knicks take a 1 point lead with 13 seconds remaining!! THE GARDEN IS SHAKING RIGHT NOW!" - Mike Breen
— x - KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) April 23, 2024
The Knicks win Game 2️⃣ and take a 2️⃣-0️⃣ series lead!!! pic.twitter.com/ipZVZVw770
"I mean listen to this... This is what we do. This who we do it for. That's it. 2-0."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2024
Donte DiVincenzo on the atmosphere at MSG following the Knicks' thrilling Game 2 win over the Sixers ️pic.twitter.com/dJKUhffqjv
I love this for DDV, a guy who was a key piece to Golden State’s attempted title defense of last season. He shot a then-career high 39.7% from beyond the arc, learning the ways of the Splash Bros that set him up nicely for his new role with the Knicks. Per Sports Illustrated, DDV also “dished out 3.5 assists a game, also a personal high. He made 24 starts over the final 25 games, during which he averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. Golden State went 14-10 in that span when he was in the starting five and 21-15 in DiVincenzo’s 36 total starts last year”.
He also was no stranger to hitting crunchtime bombs when the Warriors needed him to deliver.
This season he shot a new career high 40% from deep, and set the all-time Knicks record for most made three-pointers in a single game, knocking down 11 triples a month ago against the Detroit Pistons.
Losing DiVincenzo in the offseason was rather inevitable considering Golden State’s tight cap, so it’s great to see him finding a new home and showing his talent and grit off in primetime. After all, they say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere! The Knicks are currently looking to take a 3-0 lead in their series against the 76ers.
