Miles McBride‘s role has been expanding since the Knicks traded Immanuel Quickley to Toronto, so he was ready when he made his first start of the season on Saturday night, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. With Jalen Brunson sidelined by a calf injury, McBride responded by scoring a career-high 19 points in a win at Memphis.
“I mean, you prepare,” McBride said. “In the summer doing a lot of long workouts, a lot of running, just knowing at some point it’s a long season and your name is going to be called. So you’ve got to do whatever you can do to be prepared as much as you can.”
McBride hasn’t been able to earn consistent playing time since New York drafted him in 2021, but he was on the court for 38 minutes in Saturday’s game, including the entire second half. He received a three-year, $13MM extension on the day the trade was announced and appears to be secure as part of the Knicks’ future.
“He just plays hard,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He’s an elite defender. That’s been his strength. That’s been his calling card. He’s proven to be a really good shooter as well. He has a lot of confidence, really works hard on his game. So this is a great opportunity for him. Every time he’s been called upon, he’s been ready and he’s performed well.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Nets, who opted for small-ball when Nic Claxton was hurt earlier this season, have been forced to go back to that approach due to a knee injury to backup center Day’Ron Sharpe, notes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. Whenever Claxton rests, coach Jacque Vaughn replaces him with 6’7″ forward Dorian Finney-Smith. “Harry [Giles] is gonna have to step up, and guys are just gonna have to alter their roles a little bit,” Cameron Johnson said. “The one thing I think would change is you’re gonna see more small-ball. Obviously, [Claxton] has been doing a great job all year holding the paint down, but it’s hard to ask him to play 48 [minutes]. We’ll see how it goes. [Finney-Smith] is one of the best in the league at playing that small-ball 5. When we have it, that’s definitely on the table for us.”
- The Nets haven’t decided if Ben Simmons will join them for their upcoming West Coast trip, Schwartz adds. Simmons has been sidelined since November 6 with a nerve impingement in his back, but he’s reportedly “in the home stretch” of his recovery process.
- Joel Embiid will return to the Sixers‘ lineup this afternoon against Houston after missing the past three games with inflammation in his left knee, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer examines how Embiid’s injury history might affect his legacy.
- Sixers coach Nick Nurse expects De’Anthony Melton to be sidelined at least a week as he deals with a lumbar injury, per Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
I’m happy for Duece. His time has come. IMO he was probably frustrated by never getting an opportunity until now. Those long hard days in the off season has paid off. I hated to see IQ go but to get you have to up give up. IQ ego was too big and he was never going to replace Brunson. The Knicks finally have a foundation. OG is the perfect piece. If the Knicks had an OG type guy in the 90s, they would have beaten MJ and Pippen. Charles Smith was never the answer.
They had Anthony Mason and they still weren’t going to beat MJ. And Smith wasn’t covering either of them, he was busy with Grant owning him.
Who are the Nets kidding? Ben won’t be joining the team on the upcoming road trip.
He’s nursing a boo boo.
And he joined the team on the trip. Nice optimism.
But he still hasn’t played, with one game to go!
Wiseman to Memphis for Luke Kennard or Wiseman and Monte Morris to Memphis for Luke Kennard and Jake L
McBride has his chance now. Needs to take advantage of it. He’s a solid 2way guy. I would like to see him run offense more. He’s too quick to give it up to the vets. I think cause second unit needs scoring. He’s trying to shoot his way in. He’s a better passer than Quickley. Needs to trust his game. And set up the team. Get those ast going. Both Grimes and McBride are playing tight imo. Have to trust your game and fit. Be more aggressive. Make the team play off you. We need them both to play well.
Sixers need to make some judicial moves….
Tyus Jones – 1.4 turnovers per 100 possessions and a very good 3P shooter the last 3 seasons. 14M isn’t an ideal contract to try and match for that 3rd guard spot.
Miles Bridges – off-court issues aside, if you give the Hornets 2 SRPs or a FRP, I think you can get him and 7.9M is easy to match.
Dario Saric – shooting very well this year. Cheap. Would be welcomed back. Understands the bench role now.
Kelly Olynyk – dishing from the Center position, shooting very well from 3. Smart heady veteran. If they moved Tobias for Kelly and Lauri along with their 3 FRPs, I think it increases their chances of an ECF.
Jones and Olynyk both playing very very well. Be nice additions for any playoff team. Can play Olynyk and Embiid on the floor together.