An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Miles McBride of the New York Knicks guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY — Miles McBride took two months and 28 games to return.
He lasted just one half.
The Knicks guard appeared to hurt his groin area in the third quarter of Sunday’s 111-100 loss to the Thunder, limping off the court with fears he aggravated his surgically-repaired sports hernia.
“I haven’t talked to medical yet, so I don’t know how bad it is. But it’s tough,” coach Mike Brown said. “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. It made us deeper. And because of the foul trouble we had, we were a little shorthanded in that second half, and it was part of the reason they were able to pull away, too.”
Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game on March 29, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
McBride’s final play was diving for a loose ball and falling onto Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort. McBride then grabbed his groin area.
Before the game, Brown said he was excited about the “nice punch” McBride would provide. It didn’t last long.
He finished with zero points in 11 minutes on three shots.
“Deuce was one of our best on-ball defenders, especially when it comes to the pick and roll. He’s quick, and he’s strong, gets over screens well. He’ll get into the ball,” Brown said. “Obviously, he shoots the ball from range at a high level. He can go get his shot, too. And then he’s versatile in terms of playing on the ball, off the ball. He gives us a nice punch.”
Jalen Brunson was hopeful his teammate will return. The Knicks have two more weeks to go in the regular season.
“It’s tough. He’ll be back,” Brunson said. “He works too hard. So obviously, it’s a tough thing to see. We want him back 100 percent healthy [and] ready to go.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) passes the ball away from New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, front left, and center Mitchell Robinson, back left, during the first half. AP
Landry Shamet missed his fourth straight game but traveled with the team on their road trip, with next stops in Houston and Memphis.
Brown said Shamet is “progressing.”
Brown explained why he hasn’t changed his starting lineup despite tinkering with other parts of the rotation.
“[The starting lineup] is more important than when you’re talking about who might be the ninth man tonight or who might be the eighth man. So trying to have some form of consistency, given an opportunity, is the big thing,” the coach said. “I’ll keep playing with the eighth, ninth guys or any lineup changes that I need along the way if I think I need to. I haven’t felt that way strongly, so I’ll continue until I feel otherwise. But it definitely is more important to try to keep that starting group together.”