At 6 feet 1, Miles McBride isn’t typically recognized as a shot-blocker.
However, with just five minutes left in the second quarter, he unexpectedly chased down Derrick White during a fast break, remarkable enough to block the shot from behind.
Josh Hart secured the rebound and sprinted down the court for a basket, triggering a loud response from the Madison Square Garden crowd.
Moments later, McBride sank a three-pointer with less than a second on the clock, sending the Knicks into halftime with a commanding 64-37 lead, much to the delight of the fans.
He wrapped up the series on a high note with the Knicks triumphing 119-81 against the Celtics in Game 6.
After a challenging first round against the Pistons, McBride bounced back in the second round with impressive performances.
He’s looking more self-assured and seems to be improving as the Knicks progress.
“He doesn’t perform consistently in scoring,” coach Tom Thibodeau noted. “But it’s about continuing to play and trusting your abilities and the preparation you’ve done. His defensive pressure is significant. He plays with speed, and we maintain that fast pace with him, which is crucial for us.”
Updates from the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
The Knicks have had a thin roster throughout the season, with Thibodeau recently limiting the rotation to just seven players.
Mitchell Robinson’s defense and rebounding off the bench are crucial, but McBride is the main source of scoring energy and offense.
On Friday night, he effectively neutralized Payton Pritchard, the league’s top bench scorer.
McBride stands out as one of the Knicks’ fastest players.
When he’s on the court, the team plays with more speed and adopts a more aggressive transition game.
No team plays faster than the Pacers, who are set to face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
As the series approaches, McBride’s role is bound to become even more significant.
