Knicks’ Miles McBride Out for NBA Cup Quarterfinals

The New York Knicks have revealed that Miles McBride won’t be playing in Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinals in Toronto due to a sprained left ankle.

McBride injured his ankle during a drive to the basket in Sunday’s game against the Magic. He hit the floor in visible pain but managed to get up and attempt a free throw.

X-rays showed no fractures, but McBride underwent an MRI on Monday. He left the practice facility wearing walking boots, which made it pretty clear he was dealing with something serious.

This month has been remarkable for McBride; he’s averaging 14.6 points and hitting 57.4 percent from beyond the arc over the last seven games. His playing time has increased as well, especially after Landry Shamet’s shoulder injury, making him a key player in a roster that’s a bit short on backup guards.

If McBride ends up missing multiple games, it could pose a challenge for the Knicks regarding depth. Still, Coach Brown mentioned that the backup point guard’s role isn’t overly demanding.

As of now, Tyler Kolek steps in as Jalen Brunson’s backup.

“You’ll see how we operate. There’s no heavy pressure on the reserve point guard to create plays for others. I refer to this position as the push man—the one who starts the momentum,” Brown explained, adding, “As long as we have guys who can pass, dribble, and shoot, we’re confident. By ‘dribble,’ I mean simply getting the ball and attacking, which sets everything else into motion.”

Despite McBride’s potential absence, he has been instrumental for the Knicks, providing solid 3-point shooting and fierce defense. They hold a record of 0-3 this season when he doesn’t play.

He previously missed two games due to a personal matter and one due to an illness.

“He’s been exceptional,” said Brunson. “If something keeps him out due to this injury, our team will obviously feel his absence.”

“Deuce has been a force either way. His shooting, defensive play—everything he contributes impacts winning. We’re going to need him,” he added, looking ahead.

Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns, who sat out Sunday’s game with a calf strain, took part in Monday practice but remains questionable for Tuesday’s matchup. The Raptors have struggled without RJ Barrett, who has missed nine straight games with a knee sprain. On Monday, the Raptors confirmed that Barrett received a PRP injection and will be re-evaluated in a week.