Key storylines to monitor for Knicks in season opener against Celtics

The New York Knicks aim to start off the 2023-24 season on a high note on Wednesday as they host the new-look Boston Celtics. Here are the biggest storylines to monitor for the Knicks in the season opener. 

Will recent success over Boston continue? 

While the Celtics hold a commanding lead in this rivalry all time (300-189), the Knicks have had the upper hand since naming Tom Thibodeau head coach in 2020. New York has posted a 7-4 record against Boston over the last three seasons and won three of four meetings a year ago. Despite having essentially the same cast as last season, the Knicks might have trouble outlasting Boston this time around after it upgraded its lineup this offseason with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. 

Josh Hart’s new role

During the offseason, New York notably moved on from Obi Toppin, the eighth overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, sending the backup power forward to Indiana for two future second-round picks. It was apparent that Toppin wasn't in the Knicks' long-term plans given their commitment to All-NBA talent Julius Randle, though they didn't find a true replacement for the former Slam Dunk Contest champion in free agency. Instead, New York will rely on the swingman Hart as their backup four.

At first glance, this may appear to be a risky decision, but the 6-foot-4 Hart's defense and ability to control the glass are ideal for this role. Last season, Hart averaged 7.8 rebounds per game, the third-most among guards and significantly higher than Toppin's mark in that category (2.8). 

Donte DiVincenzo’s debut

Although the Knicks didn't have the splashiest free-agent class, they added another former Villanova Wildcat in DiVincenzo, who will serve as an additional Swiss army knife off the bench and provide the team with some much-needed three-point shooting. DiVincenzo played in 72 games for the Golden State Warriors last season, including 36 starts, averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists while making 39.7% of his shots from beyond the arc. 

New York's $47 million guard will aim to rebound in his official Knicks debut after struggling during the preseason, during which he averaged 8.5 points while shooting 32.3% from the field. The Celtics parted ways with a decent amount of depth in the offseason, so DiVincenzo and the rest of the Knicks bench should be able to put together a strong performance.  

Does Evan Fournier make an appearance?

After falling out of the rotation last season, many, including Fournier himself, expected he would be traded during the offseason. However, the Knicks chose to hold Fournier and his expiring deal "hostage," as the sharpshooter put it in a September interview with French radio station RTL. During that conversation, Fournier made it clear he wants to be traded or get playing time for the Knicks, and while he got an opportunity to play during the preseason, there's no guarantee he'll see the floor Wednesday. 

When asked if Fournier would be in the rotation to start the year during Tuesday's news conference, Thibodeau told reporters he hadn't "decided yet." Nevertheless, knowing how the 65-year-old is often reluctant to show his hand, it's fair to assume that he has an idea whether Fournier will play on Wednesday. Fournier might be a defensive liability, but the ex-Celtic has dominated his former team since joining the Knicks, averaging 27 points, five rebounds and 2.3 assists in four games.