Deuce McBride provides Knicks with spark in first playoff start
New York Knicks’ Miles McBride passing the ball around the defense of the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner during the 1st quarter in game 2 of the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Once Deuce McBride found out he was starting for the Knicks in Game 5 on Tuesday night, his plan was simple.
Impact the game on defense.
It was similar to what coach Tom Thibodeau wanted when he made him a starter on March 18 to help slow down Golden State’s Stephen Curry. Just like that game, McBride did much more in a critical win at Madison Square Garden.
McBride had 17 points in his first career playoff start. He also led the attack on Tyrese Haliburton by guarding him full-court and helping hold the All-Star guard to just 13 points and 5-for-9 shooting.
“I’m glad Coach trusted me starting tonight and just being able to impact both sides of the ball,” McBride said. “I think that was the main thing.”
He also helped the Knicks pull ahead in the first quarter during an 11-0 run in which McBride contributed to the last nine points. After making a layup that brought the Knicks within 25-24, McBride had a pair of assists to Josh Hart, including on a three-pointer.
He followed with a floater to put the Knicks up six. Fans crooned his name when he checked out of the quarter and did it again when he exited for good in the fourth quarter with the Knicks up 27.
McBride, who was quiet the first three games this series, finished the game a plus-26. It was second-best behind Jalen Brunson being a plus-31 with a game-high 44 points.
“He was great. He was fantastic,” Brunson said. “He brought energy from the start so he’s doing what he does.”
It recalled how effective McBride was during that nine-game stint as a starter beginning with Golden State. He not only contributed to Curry shooting 8-for-20 but chipped in a season-high 29 points while playing 47 minutes.
In those nine games, he scored at least 20 points four times and shot 44.3% on threes. With the Knicks banged up after losing two playoff games in Indianapolis, McBride regaining his form was just what they needed.
His focus on defense was critical after Haliburton scored a combined 55 points the last two games.
“Obviously he had great impact in the two games in Indy, just scoring, being able to facilitate,” McBride said. “I just wanted to limit his touches as much because we can’t do any of those things if you don’t have the ball.”
His scoring Tuesday offset a an off-night for Donte DiVincenzo, who was held to eight points and was 0-for-6 on three-pointers. McBride filled in going 3-for-7 beyond the arc. Alec Burks was 5-for-8 on threes, part of an 18-point night off the bench.
It was what the Knicks hoped for coming back home: Others outside of the ex-Villanova crew of Hart, Brunson and DiVincenzo raising their game in a pivotal Game 5.
Enter McBride, who made his first playoff start a memorable one to put the Knicks a win away from their first conference finals trip since 2000.
“It started in the locker room in Indiana,” McBride said. “We got together and made sure that we had to take care of the little things, I think, that led to the Pacers] getting out and just make sure that we were doing it together as a unit.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.