Miles McBride: The Knicks’ Secret Key to Unleashing a Playoff Upset Over Boston
The New York Knicks are entering their largest challenge to date: a second-round playoff showdown with the top-seeded Boston Celtics. While most of the discussion is about Jalen Brunson’s scoring ability and Karl-Anthony Towns’ versatility on offense, there’s a less apparent but no less important X-factor in reserve: Miles McBride.
Following a rough first round against the Detroit Pistons, McBride gets his chance to make up for lost time—and his contributions might be decisive in helping to determine whether or not the Knicks can contend with Boston’s championship-level roster.
The Bench Problem: New York’s Thin Rotation
The Knicks have struggled with the same issue all year: bench depth. They ranked last in the league in bench scoring during the regular season, making their starters bear a record workload. That continued in the first round, where the Knicks’ bench scored just 11.5 points per game over six games.
Though players such as Cam Payne momentarily burst onto the scene—losing 14 points in Game 1—nobody has filled it up consistently. That leaves McBride, who, though he struggled (3.8 PPG on 26.7% shooting), remains one of the few dependable rotation pieces Tom Thibodeau has depended on.
Why McBride Matters: More Than Just Stats
It’s easy to dismiss McBride based on his first-round numbers, but looking deeper reveals why his presence is so crucial:
- Elite Defensive Tools: Despite standing at 6-foot-2, McBride boasts a near 6-foot-9 wingspan, allowing him to guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses.
- Proven Shooter: He’s a career 36% three-point shooter and has led the Knicks in three-point attempts per 36 minutes during the playoffs. His willingness to shoot is exactly what New York needs against Boston’s high-powered offense.
The Celtics Challenge: Why McBride’s Role Expands
Boston was the No. 1 squad in the NBA in three-point attempt rate through the regular season. The Knicks were dead last in three-point attempts per 100 possessions during the playoffs. Closing that margin is crucial, and McBride’s green light from distance can assist.
Additionally, Boston tends to play “small-ball” by assigning bigs such as Kristaps Porzingis to non-shooters (such as Josh Hart), challenging them to space the court. With McBride in the lineup, the Knicks can’t be discounted from three-point range, stretching the defense and opening up lanes for Brunson and Towns to play.
A History of Resilience
McBride’s playoff resume might look weak this season, but he was an integral piece of last season’s playoff run, scoring 11.0 points on 43.5% shooting from the field in 13 games. He has proven before that he can elevate his game—and the Knicks badly need that player now.
Even in the opener against Detroit, the Knicks were +6.1 per 100 possessions with McBride in the game. That indicates his capacity to stealthily impact games outside of the box score.
What the Knicks Need: Aggression and Spacing
To stay competitive, the Knicks must:
- Increase three-point volume.
- Lean into transition offense.
- Deploy lineups that maximize floor spacing.
McBride fits all of these criteria. His lightning trigger from deep, along with his defensive toughness, makes him invaluable if the Knicks are going to outrun the Celtics instead of grinding out each possession.
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Watch Every Angle: Hulk TV’s Multi-Screen Feature
For enthusiasts hungry to follow McBride’s every step, Hulk TV is the best sports broadcast in the world. Each website allows instant access to highlight packages from entire games so viewers can easily follow McBride’s most critical plays and turning points. To top it all off, Hulk TV’s four-screen mode enables fans to watch four individual angles or games at once, which is an ideal setup for fans who thrive on dissecting the action thoroughly.
No matter if you wish to watch McBride shut out shooters or how he spaces the floor in deciding plays, Hulk TV will have you covered.
Conclusion: McBride’s Moment to Shine
The Celtics are favorites, but every playoff series requires an unsung hero. For the Knicks, that guy could—and should—be Miles McBride. His floor-stretching, multi-position defensive skills and much-needed energy off the bench make him New York’s secret weapon in a game where every possession matters.
If McBride can get going, he won’t only transform the Knicks’ bench game—he could sway the entire series.
