Miles McBride of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court around Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Miles McBride of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court around Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mike Brown said he was still awaiting clarity on Miles McBride’s condition after the New York Knicks guard exited Sunday’s game with an apparent injury.
McBride (undisclosed) left the Knicks’ 111-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third quarter and did not return.
“I haven’t talked to medical yet, so I don’t know how it is, but it’s tough,” Brown said, via Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “He’s worked his tail off to be back… you felt his presence and he made us deeper.”
Miles McBride Injured in First Game Back
The injury came in McBride’s return from a 28-game absence following sports hernia surgery on Feb. 6.
He dove for a loose ball in the third quarter and remained on the floor while holding his groin area before limping to the locker room.
Knicks Coach Highlights McBride’s Presence
Despite the limited minutes and offensive struggles, McBride made an impact elsewhere.
He finished scoreless in 11 minutes, going 0-for-3 from the field — all from three-point range — while adding one rebound, one assist and one block.
Before the game, Brown emphasized McBride’s value on both ends of the floor.
“Deuce was one of our best on-ball defenders, especially when it comes to the pick and roll,” Brown said, via New York Post. “He’s quick and he’s strong, gets over screens well.”
Brown also pointed to McBride’s offensive ability and versatility.
“He shoots the ball from range at a high level… he can go get his shot, too,” Brown said. “He gives us a nice punch.”
Knicks Guard’s Strong Season Before Injury
Before the setback, McBride had been one of the Knicks’ most reliable role players.
He was averaging 13.0 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 42% from three-point range.
His ability to space the floor and defend at the point of attack made him a key part of the Knicks’ rotation.
The injury followed an earlier absence initially tied to an ankle issue before the team opted for sports hernia surgery after the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Thunder Pull Away in Fourth Quarter
The Knicks remained competitive before Oklahoma City pulled away late.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, extending his streak of 20-point games to 135.
Jalen Williams added 22 points, while Chet Holmgren finished with 16 points and nine rebounds as the Thunder improved to 59-16.
The Thunder outscored the Knicks 31-13 at the free-throw line.
Knicks Get Production From Stars
Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 15 points and 18 rebounds.
New York cut the deficit to one point in the fourth quarter but never took the lead.
The loss marked the Knicks’ second straight after a seven-game winning streak.
McBride’s Status to Be Monitored
McBride’s condition now becomes a key storyline for the Knicks as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.
His status will be monitored ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Houston Rockets.
New York currently sits third in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed.
Outlook Moving Forward
Whether McBride’s injury is a new issue or related to his recent surgery remains unclear.
For the Knicks, McBride’s availability could play a key role as they look to regain momentum and solidify their playoff positioning in the final weeks of the season.