SALT LAKE CITY — An encouraging upgrade to Miles McBride's availability didn't result in a return to the Knicks' lineup.
The reserve guard was listed as questionable, but missed Saturday night's game against the Jazz for the fifth straight game due to a left knee condition the Knicks are now calling “patellofemoral syndrome.''
“He's out,” Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “He's close. He's doing more, but he's not there yet. Let's see where he is tomorrow.”
The Knicks' five-game road trip concludes with a game against the Nuggets in Denver on Monday, followed by stops in Dallas (Wednesday) and Charlotte (Friday).
McBride has appeared in 11 games off the bench and averaged 10.7 points in 26.4 minutes as a sixth man, but has not played since Nov. 13 in a loss to the Bulls at the Garden.
According to the Mayo Clinic, patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as “pain in the front of the knee, around the patella,” and is also known as “runner's knee.”
It is often seen in people who play sports that involve running or jumping.
Before the game, Thibodeau called All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, who leads the Jazz in scoring with 18.8 points, “a great player.”
“It’s amazing,” Thibodeau said. “He plays multiple positions and is highly skilled. He can shoot, he can put it on the floor, he can post, he can move without the ball, which creates matchup problems. He keeps getting better every year. That's why he's so impressive. I think everyone liked him coming out of college, but he's proven to be even better than everyone thought. Ta.”
Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) remains sidelined for the Knicks, while rookie forward Kyle Filipovski is out for the Jazz with a sprained right ankle.
Jordan Clarkson (plantar fasciitis), Collin Sexton (finger) and Walker Kessler (hip) were also listed on Utah's pregame injury report but were available.
