Miles McBride had never been part of a playoff rotation.
But after this performance, it will be difficult to get out of it.
The young guard scored 21 scoring points in the Knicks’ 111-104 Game 1 victory over Philadelphia to open their playoff series at the Garden.
McBride posted an impressive plus-37 in just 28:05, eviscerating the Sixers bench and turning the tide of this series opener.
“McBride came in and made some shots — big shots,” the Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey said. “He did it at the end of the second quarter and in the fourth quarter he made some big shots. So we just have to contain it, that’s for sure. In the fourth quarter, he has big shots. And we knew it coming in, especially with the ball.
Jalen Brunson has looked like an MVP candidate all season, but on Saturday he was gushing over McBride.
“He feels good. Obviously, (Brunson) has been our leader all year. He’s given me a lot of trust. He’s been talking to me a lot for two years,” McBride said. “I’m just happy to have was able to go there and win.”
McBride made eight playoff appearances last season, but only logged 20 minutes total, limited to garbage time.
But given a spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation this year, the third-year guard cashed in with a shocking exit game.
Although he says it didn’t shock him.
“No, that doesn’t surprise me,” McBride said. “I just learned from last year, I’m trying to take that, make an impact and do everything I can to help the team win.
“I consider every match to be a very big match. Whether it’s the first game of the season, the 10th game, it doesn’t matter. If you have that approach, I feel like it makes those moments easier.
McBride — who has averaged just 7.5 points in 19.9 minutes over the Knicks’ last five games, playing in four of them — broke out against Philadelphia.
He shot 7 of 12 overall, 5 of 7 from behind the arc. McBride had 13 points in the second quarter alone, hitting 4 of 7 and 3 of 4 from deep. And in the fourth quarter, he was plus-10, and he was trusted to save every second.
“McBride made shots,” said Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Sixers. “(Bojan Bogdanovic) made some shots. They are starters on the reserve team, so they are excellent players who can get to their spots to take the shots. We just can’t sleep on anyone on this team because they’re a good team.
New York Post
