The New York Knicks got a key rotational piece back entering Sunday night’s road matchup with the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder, as guard Miles McBride was available for the first time since Jan. 27. The 25-year-old had been out after getting sports hernia surgery in February.
McBride lasted until the third quarter before exiting due to a collision with Thunder guard Lu Dort. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder was initially considered “doubtful” to return, and he never came back. He finished with zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3-point), one rebound, one assist, and one block over 11 minutes.
New York lost 111-100, and head coach Mike Brown was asked postgame if McBride’s ailment is related to the sports hernia surgery, via The Athletic’s Kristian Winfield.
“I haven’t talked to medical yet so I don’t know how it is, but it’s tough,” he admitted. “He’s worked his tail off to be back and I don’t think he made a shot in the first half but he gave us a lift. You felt his presence and he made us deeper.”
McBride played at least 64 games in each of the last three seasons and is averaging a career-high 12.9 points on 43.4% shooting (42% 3-point) with 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists over 28 minutes this year. However, he’s played just 35 games (14 starts) due to injury.
Sports hernia surgery repairs damaged tendons that attach to the pelvis, via SNY’s Ian Begley. McBride held that area when he fell to the ground with Dort.
Knicks Trail Celtics in Standings
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
(Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)
New York is now on a two-game losing streak and is 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics and the first-seeded Detroit Pistons have clinched playoff berths.
The Knicks could use a healthy McBride for scoring pop off the bench, as they haven’t beaten a winning team since their 142-103 win over the Denver Nuggets on March 6. However, if the former West Virginia Mountaineer can’t heal up over the coming days, they’ll have to keep relying on veteran guards Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado. Clarkson is averaging nine points on 45% shooting (33.7% 3-point) over 18.2 minutes, and Alvarado is averaging 5.5 points on 38.8% shooting (30.4% 3-point) over 15.9 minutes since New York acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline.
Up next for the Knicks is a road matchup with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
Related: Knicks’ Mike Brown Addresses Decision to Shut Down Jose Alvarado in Second Half
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.