McBride’s Slump Adds to Knicks’ Depth Woes as Playoff Pressure Mounts

May 1, 2025 1:59 PM

As the Knicks fight to advance in the postseason, one of their most reliable regular-season contributors is now struggling to make an impact when it matters most.

Miles McBride, who had carved out a reputation as New York’s steadiest bench presence throughout the year, is faltering at the worst possible time. His recent struggles have deepened the team’s ongoing depth concerns.

According to The New York Post’s Jared Schwartz, McBride’s recent performance in Game 5 against Detroit was emblematic of his downturn. The third-year guard managed just 4 points in 22 minutes, connecting on only 2 of his 7 shot attempts and misfiring on all three of his looks from beyond the arc.

With the Knicks already thin due to injuries and inconsistent play from other reserves, McBride’s slump has removed a key safety valve from head coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.

But despite the cold shooting night, Thibodeau remained measured in his postgame comments, emphasizing resilience and routine over panic.

“Just gotta keep playing,” Thibodeau said when asked about McBride’s role moving forward. “Next play, just keep getting ready. Each game is different. How you reset is important. One game really has nothing to do with the next, so just put the proper amount of time into preparation to get yourselves ready to play.”

The coach’s message was clear: the playoffs are about short memories and long preparation. But the reality remains that McBride, once a stabilizing presence off the bench with his defensive tenacity and reliable shooting, has not been the same under the bright lights of the postseason.

Earlier in the season, McBride had often been praised for his mature approach and two-way contributions. He provided a valuable scoring spark in the second unit, kept opposing guards in check defensively, and rarely made mental mistakes.

Now, as the Knicks navigate a high-stakes playoff series with razor-thin margins, his diminished output has added pressure on starters to carry heavier loads.

With the series tightening and Jalen Brunson battling an ankle injury, every possession counts more than ever. The Knicks don’t just need McBride to bounce back – they need him to be the player he was all season long.