New additions Jose Alvarado and Mohamed Diawara combined for 22 points and stifling defense in a resilient bounce-back win for New York, filling team needs immediately
Just 48 hours after a 118-80 embarrassment to the Detroit Pistons — which snapped an eight-game winning streak — the New York Knicks (34-19) bounced back in Boston. The Knicks picked the Celtics apart 111-89 Sunday.
Without OG Anunoby, the Knicks held a high-octane Celtics offense to just 89 points on 7-of-41 three-point shooting. New York bested Boston from beyond the arc, shooting 40% to Boston’s 17% with just eight turnovers.
In a team-wide turnaround in focus and execution, all-star guard Jalen Brunson led his squad with 31 points and eight assists. He helmed a front with six Knicks in double figures. A new level of effort and intensity, partially aided by new rotational additions, fueled a pivotal victory.
Grand Theft Alvarado
Wasting no time, the 27-year-old Brooklyn native was acquired from the Pelicans just three days before the game to reinforce New York’s depth and defense. Alvarado chipped in 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, including two 3s, two steals, two dimes and a block in 25 high-energy minutes off the bench.
Known for relentless full-court pressure, he immediately spurred the Knicks with a +13 in the box score. Seven of his points came in the fourth period to slam the door.
“He was great. The impact he had on the game right away was amazing. It’s what we needed and [we’re] just happy to see him wearing the blue and orange,” Knicks’ captain Brunson said of Alvarado’s debut.
Head coach Mike Brown echoed his leader: “His energy is unmatched… what he can do defensively in the full court… is at a pretty high level. He shoots better than people think, too. We want to play fast, and we believe he’s a guy who will come in and push the pace.” Alvarado injected his new team toughness and playmaking, a welcome sight for a recently-lethargic squad.
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Mo Diawara’s impactful new role
Stepping up in Anunoby’s absence, Mo Diawara flashed more promise for New York.
The 6’9”, 20-year-old French forward turned in an efficient outing in 26 minutes off the bench, knocking down all four of his field goals. Diawara scored 10 points with two threes while adding three boards, an assist and a pluck.
Positional versatility on full display, the rookie at one point took on point-of-attack defensive duties against all-star guard Derrick White, picking up full-court in an full on Anunoby impersonation.
Diawara continues to hold his ground on defense with length and pressure. Remarkably, the Knicks coaching staff awarded the hard-nosed rookie, New York’s signature and unique Defensive Player of the Game honor — with classic hard hat and Timberland boots in tow — for his success slowing Boston’s wings.
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After the game, Brunson had high praise for Diawara’s coachability and potential as the young forward’s maturity and work ethic continue to impress.
“Playing pickup before preseason I could see he’s really good… really coachable… when we correct him he goes and does it next time… This is only the beginning for him,” Brunson noted to reporters in the locker room.
The captain’s vote of confidence underscores how Diawara’s worked to build the team’s trust. He has now appeared in consecutive games multiple times as a real rotation piece as the 51st overall pick in the 2025 draft gets comfortable. He is already fulfilling a role the team sorely needed, and certainly looked to fill with his selection.
Back to winning ways
New York regrouped and responded with pride. Notably, defensive grit held Boston — which averages ~116 points a game — to a season-low in points.
Every Knick bought in to contest more shots and secure rebounds harder than the previous game. It’s a stark swing to go from giving up 118 points to a good Detroit team to locking down the Celtics, which highlighted the team’s adaptability.
New York took care of the ball and out-shot Boston 48% to 37% from the field, converting open looks that they missed in the previous game. Role players stepping up (from Alvarado’s timely steals to Diawara’s clutch threes) helped seal victory and keep starters fresh, as Mike Brown capitalized on bench scoring to last through the game.
At the same time, each string of defensive stops sparked camaraderie; old teammates blending with new over shared resilience.
The win, though a micro-level example, washed away the bad taste from the Detroit game and reinforced the Brunson-led identity: a tenacious group that bounces back from hardship.
The emergence of Alvarado and Diawara to the rotation bolsters the roster and helps rest legs, but should also ignite hope that the Knicks are still poised to compete for a league championship.
