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Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks.
New York Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo set the franchise record for three-pointers in a single game, hitting 11 triples in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
Pistons head coach Monty Williams objected to the way the record was set against his team, mocking the Knicks for continuing to feed DiVincenzo during New York’s 124-99 final victory.
“I don’t care about their team at all. I do not care, ” Williams told reporters on March 25, when asked about DiVincenzo’s performance. “These guys, the way they got those three points, I don’t want to be part of that story.
Knicks swingman Josh Hart wasn’t having it.
“If he doesn’t want to be part of history, he should have told his guys to defend better,” Hart said in the locker room. “What else can I say, brother?” Like, we have a hot guy, we’re going to try to find the guy who’s hot. This is common sense basketball.
“He’s a head coach in the league. I think he has the IQ to know, someone’s hot, you go to them. So, I mean, they’ll still be part of this story.
DiVincenzo led all scorers with 40 points.
He attempted 20 of his 23 looks that night from beyond the arc. The sixth-year out of Villanova was still in the game, attempting a triple with just over three minutes remaining. in the fourth quarter despite the Knicks having a 29-point lead.
Evan Fournier points to milestone after Donte DiVincenzo breaks Knicks record
DiVincenzo broke the mark set by former Knicks guars Evan Fournier (2022) and JR Smith (2014).
After the meeting, Fournier raised his cap to his former teammate and now successor.
“Not surprising at all, to be honest with you,” Fournier said of DiVincenzo breaking his record, according to Peter Botte of the New York Post. “He has definitely found his role and I congratulate him. He has good chemistry with these guys, especially with JB. [Jalen Brunson]and he’s very smart to find the pocket for a 3 and he has such a quick release.
“He’s having a great season and he deserves [the record]. Honestly, he fits their way of playing perfectly and I’m happy for him.
“And honestly, he’s such a good shooter that I’m not surprised.”
DiVencenzo needs eight more three to surpass Fournier’s franchise record for three in a single season. He has 11 games left to get there and is shooting 36.8% on 4.4 threes per game. since the All-Star break.
Donte DiVincenzo praises Evan Fournier
DiVincenzo also showed his appreciation for Fournier, who endured two seasons in limbo on the bench and out of the Knicks’ regular rotation.
“Ev had a great time here” DiVincenzo said after the match.
“He’s in the record books for a reason. Evan is a hell of a player. But the one thing I respect about Evan is how good a teammate he was. When things didn’t go his way, he never changed. I was able to play against him when things were going well for him. But when I got here, things weren’t going his way, and you’d never even know.
Fournier I never made a secret his desire to play. But he also vowed to remain a positive presence for his teammates throughout this ordeal, which included his open opinion in favor of a trade. His heavy contract made this difficult to achieve.
His reward was a trade with the Pistons, owners of a Worst record in the NBA 12-60 now, at this year’s deadline in February. Yet he was a stand-up figure behind closed doors.
“He was up there as one of the best teammates in terms of locker room guy,” DiVincenzo said.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. He has covered the NBA and NFL since 2016, including on FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He is based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck Learn more about Josh Buckhalter
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