Delon Wright maximizing a Knicks playoffs chance he never expected: ‘Something you dream of'

New York Post

2 days ago

INDIANAPOLIS — Delon Wright did not envision this.
But he's capitalizing on his chance.
The Knicks have needed him to.
Wright had barely played through the first two rounds of the postseason, but he was elevated in coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation for the last three games of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers.
'It means a lot,' Wright said after the Knicks' 111-94 Game 5 win over the Pacers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. 'This is something you dream of — being in New York, playing in Madison Square Garden. This is a dream come true.
'I didn't know if this opportunity was gonna come when I got here, the team was so stacked, the rotation was stacked. But I just tried to figure out a way to impact the game when I get in there.'
Delon Wright looks to make a pass during the Knicks' Game 5 win over the Pacers.
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Wright, whom the Knicks acquired from the Bucks in the deal that sent Jericho Sims to Milwaukee, is one of the team's best defenders, and his length allows him to disrupt passing lanes.
He has a limited offensive game, but his defensive acumen has been needed in recent games to slow the Pacers' high-octane offense.
Cam Payne, who had been ahead of him in the rotation beforehand, is a poor defender and two inches shorter.
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Wright's defense was particularly valuable in Game 5, when the Knicks made it a point of emphasis to pick up Tyrese Haliburton further up the court in order to get him out of rhythm.
Wright, a 10-year journeyman, played 32 minutes the last three games.
The Knicks outscored the Pacers by 17 points when he was on the court during that stretch.
Delon Wright defends during the Knicks' Game 5 win against the Pacers.
Imagn Images
'You gotta try something different [against Haliburton],' Wright said. 'I feel like when I come in, I just try to use my IQ, getting deflections, disrupting their offense. I know they're a high-paced offense, so I just try to do something to disrupt it.
'I like to fly around. I like to go after the ball and be a free safety. … My teammates feed off of it.'
The Knicks recorded a 103.0 defensive rating (points given up per 100 possessions) with Wright on the floor the last three games.
Wright has largely come off the bench alongside Landry Shamet, providing the Knicks their best defensive lineup.
'I've known Delon since playing with him in Dallas,' Jalen Brunson said. 'I know what he brings to the table regardless. … It's a credit to their work ethic, the work they do and being professionals that they are. So, I have a lot of respect for them and I'm happy they came in and did what they did.'
Like Wright, Shamet has been elevated in the rotation the last three games largely due to his defensive effort.
'I played with Landry in D.C., so we're pretty familiar with each other,' Wright said. 'I know that he's a defensive guy, he can shoot it. We both got our opportunity the same game, and we've been trying to seize the moment, seize the opportunity and prove that we can play and contribute to this team.'
That contribution has certainly been felt.