Mohamed Diawara acknowledged a subpar performance in the New York Knicks' Summer League opener, a 91-65 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, stating he must "do way better." Diawara struggled offensively, shooting 1-for-9 from the field and 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, as the Knicks were outscored by 39 points during his 23 minutes on the court.
"I can't play like I played today," Diawara said after the game. He was one of two Knicks players on the Summer League roster with a standard NBA contract, the other being Pacôme Dadiet, who scored 20 points but also had an inefficient shooting night.
Knicks Summer League coach TJ Saint noted that players, including Diawara and Dadiet, need to learn to "respond to adversity." He added that "little things" on defense affected their play, leading to a snowball effect. Saint emphasized that Diawara, Dadiet, Dillon Jones, and himself need to improve.
Diawara recently signed a four-year, $11.2 million contract following a promising rookie season. However, only the first two years of the deal are guaranteed, meaning he must secure a rotation spot to solidify his future with the team. He currently projects to be behind veteran wings like OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson on the depth chart.
Despite his struggles, Diawara's 7-foot wingspan offers a unique asset. He understands that consistent playing time will require a significant improvement over his Summer League debut. "Got to be better. I got to work more," Diawara stated. "If I keep working, I will get better. I see a good future but I got to keep going. Keep working to be at that level."