Knicks’ Season Opener Highlights Returning Players
There’s been quite a buzz about the Knicks’ new bench players, but it was actually the returnees who stepped up the most in their 119-111 win against the Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Tyler Kolek played crucial roles, with McBride standing out by scoring 15 points and converting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. His third three-pointer hit just when the Knicks needed it—after Cleveland made a 16-2 run to close the gap to one point. McBride’s shot helped the Knicks respond with a 19-3 surge.
Later, as the Cavaliers snagged the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, McBride landed another three, giving the Knicks a six-point cushion. This was part of a 14-0 run that essentially sealed the game for New York.
“Just being patient, believing in my shot, believing in my teammates,” McBride reflected on his performance. “Honestly, I get lost in the flow of the game and find myself getting open and want to knock it down.”
He seems to be consistently improving each year, and I think the new system under coach Mike Brown could really help elevate his game. Brown emphasizes pace, and McBride is the fastest player on the Knicks, thriving on speed.
In the win, he recorded an impressive average speed of 7.84 mph, leading the team, according to NBA stats.
There’s no doubt about McBride’s importance to the rotation. He played a significant role alongside Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns during crucial minutes in the fourth quarter. They logged seven minutes together, producing an impressive net rating of 35.3, second only to the starting lineup.
At the end of the night, McBride held a team-best plus-17 rating.
“I think the most impressive part about him was his dedication during those early days when he wasn’t playing much,” Brunson noted. “He was at the gym every day. When he finally got his shot, he was ready.”
That really says a lot about him. He’s a hard worker, always prepared to perform when called upon. Even if he has a rough night, he comes back stronger.
McBride will also be vital to Brown’s broader strategy. Occasionally, Brown will want to play smaller, spacing the court to challenge opposing defenses with multiple shooters around the perimeter. This was something that Tom Thibodeau was more hesitant to do, often keeping players like Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson on the floor.
Brown’s previous teams were known for their three-point shooting prowess, and he aims for that same success with the Knicks. On Wednesday, the team took 40 shots from beyond the arc, a notable increase from last year’s average of 34.1, which was among the lowest in the league.
“I think we can achieve much more,” Brown said. “We have so many players capable of shooting the ball.”
Shamet and Kolek contributed to that three-point total as well, each scoring in that department.
One of the biggest shifts from the Thibodeau era is Brown’s implementation of an 11-man rotation. With Malcolm Brogdon’s recent retirement, Kolek has stepped up as the only true point guard on the roster. Shamet’s 3-D skill set also adds depth to the team.
Once Hart returns from injury, the bench is likely to improve even further. Rookies Gershon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson were quieter on Wednesday but could certainly provide more moving forward. Overall, the bench matched the Cavaliers’ 35 points.
Depth was a significant issue under Thibodeau, but now it feels like a genuine strength.
“I like our bench, which I believe is better than many others because we have a lot of talent,” Bridges mentioned. “Everyone comes in fresh, creating varied defensive and offensive looks. That’s fantastic. Anyone can step in and make an impact at any time, even those who didn’t play.”
