Obi Toppin’s Knicks reunion comes on heels of shift to Pacers reserve role

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Knicks made one significant change to their rotation this season, essentially replacing traded backup power forward Obi Toppin with outside shooter Donte DiVincenzo.

Toppin had been starting for the Pacers, who the Knicks will face Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after suffering their second straight loss Friday against the Magic — until he was moved to a reserve role for the past two games — victories over the Rockets and the Bulls — after Indiana had dropped six of its previous seven.

DiVincenzo moved into the Knicks’ starting lineup at shooting guard on Dec. 8 in place of the demoted Quentin Grimes.

He was averaging 11.5 points and shooting 48.3 percent from 3-point range in 10 games before being held to two points and missing all five attempts from long distance against the Magic.

“I don’t think I replaced Obi at all. I’ve seen that a bunch, but I don’t think I replaced Obi, I don’t think I was his replacement,” DiVincenzo said before Friday’s loss. “I think I was somebody that was on the free-agent market that they felt fit their team and could fit seamlessly, and I think that’s what’s happened.”

DiVincenzo’s minutes haven’t actually changed drastically at 21.9 minutes per game since the lineup switch, compared to 20.3 in his first 20 appearances off the bench.

But DiVincenzo, who signed a four-year deal worth $46.9 million as a free agent in July, has had the desired effect as a floor spreader while being responsible defensively.

According to StatMuse, his overall defensive rating of 115.5 through 30 games also has been slightly better than that of Grimes (119.4), who has served as a defensive stopper often guarding the opposing team’s best offensive player during his first three NBA seasons.

“I think he came in and he’s really shot the ball well, and his versatility is a strength as well,” Tom Thibodeau said. “You can put the ball in his hands, you can play him off the ball. He guards well. He creates space for us. He plays fast. He can create advantages for us. He can get downhill on the second side.”

Toppin started 27 of the Pacers’ first 28 games, including a run to the finals of the In-Season Tournament, averaging 12.1 points with a .595 field-goal percentage during Indiana’s 14-14 start.

Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) was a late scratch for the Magic.

Jericho Sims (ankle) remains out, and Thibodeau echoed what he’d said Wednesday that the reserve center is making “continued progress” and “on the court, working out, but not quite there yet.”