Miles “Deuce” McBride spent the regular season proving he belonged in the Knicks’ rotation. Now, with the NBA Finals on the line, his jumper has gone ice cold — but the 25-year-old guard insists he’s not breaking.
Through five games against the San Antonio Spurs, McBride is shooting just 4-of-20 from the field. His minutes have taken a predictable hit: only 16 total minutes across Games 4 and 5. But the man who fought his way into the rotation through sheer grit isn’t about to shrink now.
The Numbers Tell a Brutal Story
McBride’s shooting struggles aren’t subtle. He’s missed 16 of his last 20 attempts, a stretch that has coach Mike Brown looking elsewhere for bench production. The emergence of trade deadline pickup Jose Alvarado has only tightened the squeeze on McBride’s playing time.
But the Knicks’ roster is loaded with scorers. What Brown needs from his second unit is energy, defensive pressure, and the kind of relentless tenacity that doesn’t show up in a box score. That’s where McBride remains valuable — even if his shot isn’t falling.
“I’m Always Going to Stay Confident”
McBride addressed his struggles Friday, telling reporters through the SNY Knicks X account: “I’m always going to stay confident, knowing I can impact the game a lot of different ways.”
That mindset has defined his career. The former West Virginia standout earned his spot in the Knicks’ rotation through work ethic and defensive hustle, not flashy offense. He’s not about to abandon that identity now, even with the brightest lights in basketball bearing down on him.
No one will remember his shooting slump if he helps snap a 53-year championship drought this weekend.
What to Watch in Game 6
McBride may not fix his jumper by Saturday’s Game 6 tip-off at Frost Bank Center (8:30 p.m. ET). But expect him to be a menace on defense, chase loose balls, and make life difficult for San Antonio’s guards. If the Knicks close out the series, his grit could be the unsung story.
The numbers look ugly. The heart does not.
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