Game 1 of the New York Knicks’ first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2024 NBA Playoffs did not get off to a hot start. New York found themselves in a deep early hole, going down by as many as 13 points.
Being off for nearly a week didn’t look to be doing the Knicks any favors. It was nice to get some rest, but the Knicks looked rusty, a step slow on both ends of the court against a 76ers team who played only three days earlier against the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
With their energy low and the team in need of a spark, the Knicks received one from their second unit. Right when Tom Thibodeau went to his bench, the tenor of the game changed for New York.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Miles McBride, 2024 NBA Playoffs, New York Knicks Updates
Their second unit of Miles McBride, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson were key in the team getting control of the game before halftime. When the starters blew the 12-point intermission lead in the third quarter, it was once again the bench guys who spearheaded the comeback in the fourth quarter.
Robinson was able to stifle Joel Embiid, who got off to a hot start in the first quarter but looked to aggravate the injury in his left knee. Bogdanovic provided timely scoring with 13 points and helped on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds.
But, it was McBride who provided the biggest spark for a team that was lethargic to start the game. He immediately got the team started forcing a turnover on his first defensive possession while catching fire offensively.
He went 7-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, for 21 points. He added four assists and three rebounds with one steal in 28 minutes on the court. McBride finished the game with a +37 plus/minus ratio, which set a franchise record during the NBA Playoffs.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Miles McBride, 2024 NBA Playoffs, New York Knicks Updates
With Jalen Brunson having an off-night shooting and Donte DiVincenzo not making his normal impact, McBride stepped up when the team needed him most. A two-way presence, he has become an integral part of the team’s success, growing into an expanded role in the second half of the season.
Just how impactful was McBride in Game 1 against the 76ers? As shared by Fred Katz of The Athletic, there was a 67-point difference with him on and off the court. In the 20 minutes that he was on the bench, Philadelphia outscored New York by 30 points.
McBride will remember that performance forever. In his first extended minutes in an NBA Playoff game, he played a major role in the Knicks getting out to a 1-0 series lead in what is going to be as competitive of a matchup as any of the first-round series.
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