DETROIT — There was a Damyean Dotson sighting Tuesday night. And it was a sight for sore eyes.
Proving plenty to Knicks coach David Fizdale, Dotson, who had not played a minute in the previous four games, was summoned early in the second half, with Mario Hezonja in foul trouble.
In 23 minutes, Dotson pumped in 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from the 3-point line in the Knicks’ 115-108 loss to the Pistons. It was the lone bright spot to a messy shooting night in Motor City as Dotson kept the Knicks within single digits within the final minutes.
“You’re always right there even if you haven’t played a game or two,’’ Fizdale said. “He stepped up big time. That’s what you call a pro. Keeping yourself ready and not let yourself get down and when your number is called, you go and produce. Dot’s a big-time pro. He’s a guy I really trust in.”
Dotson’s recent stretch of inactivity caused two teams to contact the Knicks about his availability, The Post reported. The Knicks have until July 15 to guarantee Dotson’s pact for next season. He was drafted by Phil Jackson with the 44th pick in 2017.
“It’s a lot of preparation when you’re not playing,’’ Dotson said. “I try to get the same amount of work in if I was playing with the strength and conditioning coaches, staying true to myself.”
Dotson entered Tuesday with 35 seconds left in the half, played six seconds and was pulled. But Dotson got in almost right away in the second half, coming in with 11:09 left in the third.
“I took the open ones and tried to be aggressive from the get-go,’’ Dotson said. “A lot of guys were missing easy ones. I felt the spark had to come from somewhere.”
Asked how surprised he was not to play for four games after doing well previously as a starter, Dotson said, “Coach has preached to me the process anyone can play, stay ready, rotations change.”
Dotson’s banishment coincided with Fizdale’s decision to start Mario Hezonja the past five games despite his lackluster offense.
Hezonja has scored just 16 points in those five games, but Fizdale said he has stuck with him because of his defense. The cold-shooting Croatian is at 37.7 percent and didn’t take a shot Tuesday until the third quarter.
According to Fizdale, Hezonja is suddenly doing the little things on defense.
“He’s really competing defensively,” Fizdale said. “His size at that position has been helping us. But he really has been taking the challenge defensively for us. Every film session since he’s been starting, there’s four or five clips on the edit of him doing something really well defensively.”
Credit: NY Post</>
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