Knicks sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo’s reaction to unreal win vs 76ers will give fans goosebumps

DiVincenzo’s dagger capped off a wild sequence. Josh Hart stole the ball from Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, which then led to a missed three by DiVincenzo. Isaiah Hartenstein corralled a clutch offensive board, who then passed it to OG Anunoby, who then swung it back to DiVincenzo. Finally, the former Warrior knocked down his second three-point attempt of the possession, showing the ice in his veins that made New York want to sign him in the first place.

DiVincenzo finished with 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and a team-high +11 point differential. Will the sharpshooter help lead the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals berth in 24 years?

DiVincenzo has been a crucial contributor for the Knicks

DiVincenzo has been a revelation for New York all season. In fact, the 2021 NBA champion would’ve been a prime candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player Award, but he barely missed the new playing time requirement to be eligible to qualify.

DiVincenzo averaged a career-high 15.5 points on 44.3% shooting, with 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals. The Delaware native also recorded 29.1 minutes per game and a 40.1% three-point shooting clip, both career-highs. On top of that, he set a franchise single-season record with 281 threes made.

With second-leading scorer Julius Randle out for the season, DiVincenzo’s ascension couldn’t have come at a better time. Star guard Jalen Brunson was initially considered to be the team’s only other major threat on offense, but even he’s struggled over these first two playoff games. DiVincenzo and fellow Villanova alum Josh Hart have been the two unexpected heroes that’ve led the Knicks to a 2-0 series lead.

Hart registered 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting with a game-high 15 rebounds, including a 4-of-7 mark from deep across 48 minutes. The former Trail Blazer’s steal on Maxey was possibly the most important play of the game for New York, as it led to the wild sequence that resulted in DiVincenzo’s clutch three. Hart spoke about the game’s dramatic ending, via Yahoo Sports’ Brian Mahoney.

“It was crazy, it was hectic, but at that point we had nothing to lose,” Hart said. “Got to get as physical as we can and it panned out.”

Hart certainly lives up to his name, as the shooting guard’s hustle and physicality gives the Knicks an edge. His presence on defense and the glass has been constant all year, but him recently finding his three-point has been a pleasant surprise. The 2017 first-round pick shot just 31% from deep in the regular season, but he’s now 8-of-15 from long range so far this series.

Through these first two games, DiVincenzo has registered 27 points on 40% shooting, including a 46.2% mark from deep. That’s not bad for a player who never averaged more than 10.4 points per game coming into this season.

If DiVincenzo and Hart can continue coming in clutch when it matters most, it won’t just spell trouble for Philadelphia. The rest of the league will be put on notice too.