Miles McBride of the Knicks aiming to regain his pre-injury shape before the playoffs

Miles McBride’s Race Against Time

Miles McBride finds himself under pressure to regain his previous form before the postseason kicks off. After being sidelined for 28 games due to sports hernia surgery, he has participated in three games. It’s crucial that he shows he’s back to his pre-surgery self during the last four games of the regular season.

Before his absence, McBride had been performing exceptionally well, averaging 12.9 points per game with a shooting percentage of 42.0 from beyond the arc. As a key player off the bench for the Knicks, alongside Mitchell Robinson, he also excelled as one of the top defenders on ball handlers, boasting a team-high net rating of 10.3 points.

However, in his first two games back—a couple of losses to the Thunder and Rockets—McBride struggled significantly, hitting just 1 of 12 shots and 1 of 8 from three-point range. He then took a break during a win over the Grizzlies but showed improvement by making all his 3-pointers and shooting 2 of 4 against the Bulls on Friday.

Reflecting on his return, McBride said, “Everything, to be honest. It’s tough to have surgery mid-season and deal with such a long recovery.”

There were concerns about potential setbacks. In the game against the Thunder, he played only 11 minutes before aggravating his injury while diving for a loose ball, leading to him limping off the court.

Fortunately, his fears were eased when he returned to the floor against the Rockets just one game later. “This is really just part of the recovery process,” he stated. “It’s an adjustment that can be quite painful. It’s not the worst, but sometimes you really feel it. It’s like someone’s stabbing you in the groin and lower back at the same time. Not pleasant, but you push through.”

Meanwhile, in a recent game against the Grizzlies, OG Anunoby experienced some wrist discomfort. On the bench, his teammate Jordan Clarkson humorously pretended to sprinkle healing powder on his wrist.